Ex- minister’s wife leads ‘ free MPs campaign’
SOLIDARITY:
Women have launched a threefold hashtag where they are saying, # freebacede, # freemthandeni and # handsoffgawuzela.
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MBABANE – A wife of a former Cabinet minister has lobbied about 3 500 women to stand together on behalf of the three MPs leading the call for change.
The former minister was elected into Cabinet from Assembly where he was representing his constituency. “The women have launched a threefold hashtag where they are saying, # freebacede, # freemthandeni and # handsoffgawuzela.
Yesterday the former minister’s wife suggested that women should wear black tops and wrap a kanga with the hashtag messages.
“We can upload this on our profiles, timelines and statuses at noon. Imagine the more than 3 000 profiles with the same message. We can do this,” she said.
The idea was welcomed by most of the women and indeed by afternoon yesterday some had already posted their pic
She suggested that women should wear black tops and wrap a kanga with the message # freebacede # freemthandeni
tures in the specified dress code.
“I love this. It is high time women stand up and be seen.
Show us the sample dear.”
Most women said they were in for the idea and requested a nice slogan that would go along with the outfit.
They felt indebted to the MPs, a d d i n g that this was the l e a s t t h e y could do.
Some people who had an interest in the hashtags expressed appreciation at the fact that the MPs were fighting for the rights of the people. “Bacede is already a millionaire. He can have a decent life even under the current system, but he chose to fight it so that all emaSwati can have almost equal opportunities. Let’s support them,” said one of the posts.
SPENDING
Another writer said MP Mabuza was now spending nights in the cold cells while the ordinary citizen he was fighting for slept comfortably in their beds. “We call on the authorities to drop the frivolous charges against the MPs and to release them forthwith.
“No one should be arrested for speaking out against human rights violation/ abuse.
“Their safety must be guaranteed.”
Another person was of the view that arresting MP Mabuza and MP Dube would not deter the people from what they wanted.
“After all they were acting as per the demands of the people. The movement is bigger than the two!
“Because wherever you go rural or urban the song of democracy echoes.”
Others said it was important to remember that these two MPs were arrested for speaking for the poor, the marginalised, the voiceless and the oppressed.
“We are Bacede, Bacede is us; arresting Bacede is arrest