‘... EmaSwati don’t want one party State’

M- Mfomfo Nkhambule says as emaSwati, they cannot allow the creation of a one-party State as was the case in Zimbabwe, Uganda, Egypt, etc and as such, political developments lead to promotion of corruption and poor resource utilisation.

“In this country there are people on both sides of the political divide who just do not want the national dialogue to take place for fear of losing little advantages they are having now by virtue of being close to the King. They are exploiting the King for their selfish ends. They are telling him all the wrong reasons why he should avoid getting the national dialogue,” the former minister explained.

He pointed out that the King was now trapped in the lies of dishonest acquaintances whose vision is clouded by short material gains.

“On the other side are some progressives who are also not interested in dialogue because it will derail their path to ‘multi-party democracy’. They are not hungry for peace. They are putting many unreasonable conditions for dialogue as if we have been brought up under a democratic set up since primary education,” said Nkhambule.

He further clarified that if the democratic camp was committed to dialogue, why do they not hold a mini-dialogue of their own among themselves so as to narrow the differences that exist among the different political formations.

“It is clear that the high level of intolerance shown by the different political groupings is highly intimidating to some emaSwati who would like to embrace the right to freedom of association and assembly. Those that are deceiving the King are intent on embarrassing him before the international community because he will run out of reasons, customary and sound ones, for not resuming the preparatory steps for the national dialogue,” further clarified Nkhambule.

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Meanwhile, Nkhambule stated that as long as he (King) does nothing tangible to take the process forward he is giving the other side time to plan how to further throw this country into chaos, making it ungovernable and driving investors away. “We seem not to be aware that in this competitive environment the chances of getting back an investor, who has packed up his bags and gone home, are gone. This State is become an unsafe State because of minority groups on both sides of the political divide. If many are for peace let chiefs play a role in the holding of dialogue at chiefdom level so that when the national one resumes the awareness level of emaSwati in the country side is very high,” the former minister said.

Meanwhile, he said that let emaSwati not be held at ransom by minority groups who are found wanting when it comes to leadership.

“They have made their decisions. They have decided not to do anything constructive for this country. We need those that are friends to this country to put more pressure on the King to get up and do something right for the common good. Swaziland shall never be the same as that of old,” he noted. Nkhambule said that emaSwati demand a significant role to play in the running of the affairs of this country.

“The minority shall never again be the architect of our destiny. The threats to the State are increasing exponentially each day nothing is done on the national dialogue. Let not the promoters of violence work hand in hand with those opposed to the national dialogue through an alliance not guided by intelligence and wisdom,” he pleaded.

However, it should be noted that political parties were banned in Eswatini in 1973 through a Decree by King Sobhuza II and this proclamation has not been repealed. The 2005 Constitution does not mention political parties, but does guarantee freedom of association, and the Inhlava Party was registered as a legal political party on the basis of this.

M- Currently on show at Yebo! Art Gallery is the UmoyaMmuo-Spirit exhibition, Yebo’s 54th exhibition to date since its establishment in 2010.

An engaging exploration into the complexities, nuances and implications of the word and concept of the spirit, the exhibition features artwork from Yebo! artists, Ray Berman, Tony Marshak, Penny Mobsby Luoma, Nathi Tembe, Celimpilo Dlamini, Phindile Mamba, Tutu Mkhabela, Fela Dlamini and Khulekani Msweli.

Features

From Eswatini’s growing crop of emerging artists, the exhibition features work from Sambulo Shongwe, Angelina Edje and Busisiwe Manana, in addition to two emerging South African photographers, Eza Helder and Sammy Sinalo.

Umoya-Mmuo-Spirit offers viewers a dynamic selection of creative mediums from painting, drawing and photography to screen printed fabrics, clay pottery and wood sculpture.

Aleta Armstrong, the Director said: “In an effort to continue the inclusion of women in handcraft in gallery spaces, the exhibition features playful and illustrative prints from two women led handcraft co-operatives, Siyaphambili and Indzaba Yami who have undergone product development, textile design and basic screen printing workshops run by Yebo! Art Gallery in partnership with the International Trade Center’s Alliances for Action Programme funded by the European Union.

Yebo! Art Gallery’s partnership with the International Trade Center’s Alliances for Action programme has helped equip Siyaphambili and Indzaba Yami with the skills and knowledge needed for them to develop into self-sustaining handcraft and textile design enterprises that are focused on women and community development.”

Contemporary

Yebo! Art Gallery is a contemporary art gallery and design studio in Ezulwini that was established in 2010 by Co-founders Aleta, Pete and Dane Armstrong.

With a commitment to the continued development of Eswatini’s creative economy, Yebo! Art Gallery has grown to become a dynamic space that supports local creativity and is committed to promoting it to local and international markets.

Despite the global socio-economic turmoil caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the creative industry in Eswatini, Yebo has worked to decenter art world elitism and make the gallery accessible to local artists from all walks of life through its open-door practices and continued support for emerging and established artists, while maintaining the professional standards expected of fine art and design spaces.

Yebo’s focus is on using art as a vehicle for positive social change. Art can be a powerful