LaZwide meets SWALIMO, announces political stand
SIPHOFANENI – A political meeting guised as a church service is where former Siphofaneni Member of Parliament (MP) Mduduzi Simelane’s wife, LaZwide announced her political affiliation.
Simelane is the founding President of the Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO) and was removed from his seat in Parliament after he went on a self-imposed political exile, missing the regulated number of sittings in the august House.
Simelane’s political movement organised a visit to his church, God’s Grace Ministries in Siphofaneni, where his wife, LaZwide made a keynote address. Simelane doubles up as the lead pastor (President) of the church. LaZwide told the congregants that she struggled to understand his husband’s political stand and had a deep anger towards politics. She said the anger subsided over the past months and she finally made a decision to be a part of the progressive struggle towards democracy.
MOVEMENT
She declared that she was now a member of SWALIMO and was willing to be a part of all activities organised by the political movement.
“I was angry over everything that has been happening. I was angry at the fact that my husband left me alone and went to exile. I was angry at everything and everyone, but I can proudly say I am no longer angry but full. My heart is now packed with a fight and I am ready to take my stand and fight the same course that my husband is fighting,” she said.
LaZwide then called for support from the people of her constituency and said she needed their support in order to make her own mark in the political sphere.
She said the time had come for her to lead from the front and join the masses in the calls for democracy. She requested the residents to join her in a march she was planning for all women in the country.
DIFFERENT
“I am a very shy person who only comes alive on stage when singing, but the past days I have been feeling a different energy which gave me strength to fight for a better course. I want to call on all the people of this constituency to join me in the fight and be a part of change. We will get democracy and the time has come for every woman to join in the fight. I will soon organise a march and I believe that all women in the area will attend. The fight is not just for us but for our children and as women we know the pain of bringing a person to life,” she said.
The church representative Themba Matsenjwa said the church was fully supportive to the decision taken by LaZwide. He said the decision by LaZwide was the best decision for the church and the constituency to further the calls for democracy.
REGARDING
He stated that the ousted MP also made a declaration before the church regarding his political stand and they supported him. He mentioned that the church was not a political entity, but was tolerant and respectful to political ideologies by members.
“We welcome SWALIMO at God’s Grace and we are grateful that our first lady has made a decision to join our president. Simelane is not just SWALIMO President but he our President as a church and we call him Mengameli. He presented his political goals and desires to the church and we have been very supportive to his call, so we do not see any problem in supporting SWALIMO or LaZwide. The church is fully behind her,” he said.
CONFIRMED
LaZwide appeared in a live broadcast by Simelane on Wednesday where she further confirmed her affiliation to SWALIMO.
Contacted for a comment, Simelane said he was excited that finally his wife had made a declaration that she joining SWALIMO. He stated that they were going to allow her to explore her political ability and fit herself into a position suitable for her.
“We have set structures at community level and what LaZwide calls for aligns with the mandate of SWALIMO. We believe that the community should take a lead in the liberation of the country, hence I was amazed at her words. She articulated our vision very well and I want to add on what she said and call upon the people to join the masses on the streets every day until our freedom is won. We should not rest a single day until freedom day has been announced,” he said.
LaZwide had been a consistent figure at the High Court in the past eight months during the ongoing case against the two arrested MPs, Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza of Hosea and Mthandeni Dube of Ngwempisi. The two MPs were co-charged with Simelane under the Suppression of Terrorism Act of 2008.
SUPPORTING
Two weeks ago, LaZwide pleaded with the community of KaMkhweli in a WhatsApp group message, not to stop supporting his husband.
“If it were up to me I would stand on top of the highest mountain in this community and shout out for everyone to hear that the time had come for the people of KaMkhweli to stand up and fight for their MP to return. He is being persecuted for fighting for his people and has been forced to live in a foreign land and to lose all luxury and leisure of being with his people. You all know how much he loves you and how much he has fought your battles, let us not disappoint him but join in on the fight for liberation. We are a strong community and if we were to stand and fight side by side with him we would win in no time,” she pleaded.
She said Simelane was being persecuted for fighting for the rights of the people and it was up to his community to show him support by joining the marches around the country.