Ngomuyayona speaks while workers sing

(%(.81(1( do we have to remind you all that the word Ccomrade’ is not taboo"

Almost all dictionaries worth the ink on their pages describe comrade as Ca companion who shares one’s activities or is a fellow member of an organisation.’

Police officers, soldiers and other security agents are also comrades.

This is perfect English, which refers to a fellow soldier or member of the armed forces. %asically, a comrade is Must a friend or companion with whom you have things in common.

,t has been alleged that those pushing for changes in the .ingdom of Eswatini, also known as the mass democratic movement (0'0) also have comrades in the armed forces.

That has not yet been confirmed but the rumours keep growing with each passing day.

So, if that is the case, is it possible that within the same 0'0, there are people we cannot refer to as comrades people with whom we do not see eye to eye" We refuse to believe this.

As we always say on social media, using our real and fake accounts, we know what we want. We know who our enemies are.

Ngomuyayona *amed]e, &hairman of Sive SiyinTaba

National 0ovement, is not the enemy.

He is a comrade, a friend with whom we share«. well, many things.

*amed]e was at the Workers 'ay celebrations at 0ayaluka Stadium in %ig %end last 0onday, when the employed and unemployed got together to bemoan their concerns.

,n case you did not notice, not much celebration went on at these events, whether in Eswatini, South Africa or elsewhere.

RETRENCHMENTS

,nstead, workers complained about their rights, poor pay and Mob retrenchments. The unemployed, whose numbers keep growing with each day, decried the fact that they were not able to put food on the table. They only eat what has been placed there by breadwinners.

They are not even allowed to open the fridge, unless they are only taking out the water container. Unlike 0inister of /abour and Social Security Phila %uthele]i, &omrade Ngoma felt safe among fellow comrades.

He was ready to deliver a message of solidarity, Must as other political party leaders had done or were still to do.

However, his appearance got us so excited that we decided to give him a special welcome.

We shouted continuously, at the top of our voices, to welcome him.

Some people thought we were booing him. We then started singing a song we believed any comrade would appreciate one that emphasises that we will not be participating in the upcoming national elections.

“Asiyi elukhetfweni,” we sang until our voices became hoarse.

,t was unfortunate that our comrade decided to live up to his nickname Ngomuyayona and started talking while we were singing. He spoiled our rhythm.

,n his speech, he spoke about unity, ignoring the fact that we had been united in showing our excitement at his appearance and singing our lungs out to welcome him. Ngoma is not the enemy and neither is Thanta]a Silolo. We love these gentlemen.

The Swa]iland /iberation 0ovement (SWA/,02) Spokesperson Silolo was in tears, literally, when he was not allowed to go up to the main stage with the banner of his popular organisation. We know Silolo is not a crybaby.

He is a tough nut who has been in political activism for much longer than most of us.

Seeing him in tears broke our hearts but he should have understood that we did this to protect him and his party. ,n case those who showed their political party colours at Workers 'ay are rounded up, SWA/,02 will be safe.