Bishop Mpendulo might replace Thulani Maseko

MBABANE – The death of Human Rights Lawyer Thulani Maseko has created a leadership vacuum within the Multi-Stakeholder Forum (MSF) where he served as chairman.

Maseko led the organisation from its formation and was later last year re-elected into the same position during the organisation’s first elective conference.

He was the face of the organisation from its inception till he met his death on Saturday January 21, 2023. He was shot death in a coldblooded assassination in front of his wife and two sons, while watching television in the lounge at his parental home in Bhunya, KaLuhleko.

The late Maseko was hailed as a peaceful person who was an advocate for an all inclusive dialogue, as a tool to solve the current political impasse in the country. He was credited with uniting the mass democratic movement in the country and part of his accolades included the drafting of the Boksburg Declaration under his leadership. The declaration outlines the five-point plan that the mass democratic movement envisage as pillars of a national dialogue.

Close sources within the MSF revealed that the current structure did not have a deputy for the chairman and the statutes were not articulate on how the position would be filled in case of an impromptu vacuum.

MASEKO’S REPLACEMENT

It was further revealed that some MSF member groups had already started the search for Maseko’s replacement. The sources revealed that some of the members anticipated that Sibaya might be convened immediately and, therefore, there was a need for the MSF to be prepared.

The sources said it was important for Maseko’s position to be filled to ensure that there was solid leadership for the pro-democracy organisations, when the dialogue comes.

“The most difficult task faced by the mass democratic movement right now, especially members of the MSF is finding a replacement for Maseko. Some have already started raising names of people that were possible candidates,” said the source.

PRO-DEMOCRACY PASTOR

One of the names that have been raised, according to the source, is that of pro-democracy pastor, Bishop Mpendulo Nkambule of the Word of Hope Ministries. Nkambule has been vocal in the calls for democracy and the sources said he was at the frontline of the list that had been created.

It was revealed by the sources that some of the members were convinced that Nkambule had what it would take to lead the calls for reforms in the transitional period. They highlighted his ability to engage with all people from across the different party lines, which was a role embodied by the late Maseko.

“Bishop Mpendulo is the most key person in the names raised to replace Maseko and this comes from his ability to bring together the different members of the mass democratic movement. The MSF will need such a leader who will be respected by all the political parties and also appeal to the members of the civil society without being aligned or leaning toward a specific direction.

POLITICAL HOME

“Though Maseko was a former Secretary General in his political party, he was able to remain impartial on issues opposed to his political home and that the leader we need,” said the source.

Contacted for a comment, Bishop Nkambule first requested not comment on the matter and said it was mere rumours at the moment. However, the bishop further indicated that the people had the right to choose their own person to represent them in a democratic State.

“I am not in a position to comment at present. I will communicate when the time is right. In a democratic setting, you serve at the request of the people,” briefly said Nkambule.

Nkambule is among the first pastors who came out to openly support the calls for democratic reforms in the country. He has been a part of many rallies since the political move to challenge the current government began in June 2021.

CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP

In many of his public speeches, he called for change in leadership and the ushering of a new democratic system of governance. He made numerous appearances in rallies and political meetings in different online platforms since June 2021. He was hailed by the progressives as the Bishop Tutu of local politics for taking a stand with them, when other members of the clergy refused to associate themselves with politics.

Nkambule, in a past interview with the publication, said he was not a part of any political party or movement. He said he had displayed loyalty to

all those calling for democratic changes and attended every meeting where he was needed despite the name of the political entity.

“I am not a member of any political organisation yet. If I am invited to a meeting by any political formation I will religiously attend. It is our responsibility to assist whenever there is a need for issues to be addressed in the mass democratic movement. As I have stated, I am not a member of any but I am of service to all. The time for that will come but for now we have a bigger issue at hand,” he said.

LOBBYING AND SEARCHING

Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO) President Mduduzi ‘Gawzela’ Simelane, confirmed that they were currently busy lobbying and searching for a possible leader to take over from Maseko. He could not commit himself on whether his organisation had raised the name of the bishop. He refused to reveal other names that were raised.

“We are still searching and lobbying. There is nothing much I can say for now,” said Simelane.

People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) Secretary General (SG) Wandile Dludlu, said they were currently seized with organising, mobilising and intensifying for the struggle and they had not had any discussions around the replacement of Maseko.

“We don’t know anything of such a discussion and to our knowledge MSF has leadership and is fresh from a congress. The unfortunate death of TR Maseko means more work for us than politics and positions,” said Dludlu.

MSF SG Sikelela Dlamini said the organisation had not yet set standing orders on how a leader would be replaced in cases of death or for any other reasons. He said they were yet to meet to discuss how the issue of finding Maseko’s replacement was to be handled.

STANDING ORDERS

“The standing orders are currently mum on such an issue. As a new organisation we haven’t incorporated that yet. MSF is yet to meet for purposes of discussing such an issue. For now, we are preoccupied by the Maseko’s burial and other things,” said Dlamini.

He further stated that the organisation lost a very important leader in Maseko, who carried the mandate of the mass democratic movement with poise and pride. He said Maseko left a huge vacuum which might be tougher to fill.

MSF is a convergence of civil society organisations, business, trade unions, political parties and other organisations calling for democratic reforms in the country.