SFDF target 10 000 members in 12 months
MBABANE – The Swazis First Democratic Front (SFDF) has revealed that they intend to grow their membership to 10 000 by the end of the year 2023.
The political party was officially launched two months ago and is led by President Busi Mayisela, who is former National Chairperson of the Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO). Mayisela was expelled from SWALIMO with Dr Siphetfo Dlamini for allegedly trying to usurp powers from President Mduduzi ‘Gawuzela’ Simelane. The two later formed their own party, SFDF.
The formation of the political party added to the growing number of organisations calling for political reforms in the country and expanded the diameter of choice for politicised emaSwati who might need a political home. After its formation, some social media users started calling the new political organisation a ‘six-member’ party.
RECRUITING
It was highly contested whether the new political party would gain massive membership as SWALIMO or the party was formed out of spite by the two leaders. Allegations of recruiting members of SWALIMO came to the fore after the new party announced its Top-6 leadership. Former members of SWALIMO, Gift Dlamini, Phephile Ndzinisa and Muzi Mmema were announced as members of the National
Executive Committee (NEC).
Questioned on whether the organisation had members or not, SFDF Secretary General (SG) Gift Dlamini, said the political party was growing faster than they expected. He said they were currently above the 5 000 mark and their target was to reach 10 000 members by December, 2023.
A physical and digital platform was created for the purposes of registration as members of the organisation. A downloadable form was made available in the party’s website and most people used the platform to get the forms.
Dlamini stated that they were excited and challenged by the number of new members coming into the group. He said the organisation was dedicated to politicising new members as compared to recruiting from other political parties. He emphasised that the new members were from the regions and as their drive was focusing on reaching out to more people.
“We have focused our recruitment plans to the regions and have registered new members in our outreach programme. We have been doing well in the Hhohho, Manzini and Shiselweni regions, where we were able to register an average of 1 500 new members per region. We struggled a bit in the Lubombo Region but we have surpassed the 5 000 membership mark. In Lubombo Region we registered over 1 000 and we are looking at growing this numbers going forward,” he said.
TARGETING
Dlamini further stated that his political party was targeting a minimum of 2 500 members in Shiselweni and Hhohho, 3 000 in Manzini and 2 000 Lubombo. He also highlighted that the organisation did not have a secret or special modem of making people join except to present the facts of the struggle and let the people confirm that they needed SFDF as a vehicle to promote their struggle.
“As I confirm the numbers, I want to also appreciate the endorsement by the members of the public. We view this numbers as a positive nod from the people. It is a humbling response that SFDF takes as a mandate from the people to collaborate with the mass democratic movement in delivering their liberation,” he said.
Mayisela, SFDF President, stated at the inception of the organisation that they were open for all emaSwati to join. She disputed allegations that they were targeting people of a certain class and standard to be members.
“We are open for everyone even though we are very clear that any political debate or argument should be backed up by facts. Our members will be capacitated not just for activism but for leadership and sound participation in the political talks across the political landscape of our country,” she said.
Mayisela explained that the new political formation was an outright party that was based on the principles of national unity. She said a major problem faced by the pro-democratic movement in the country was disunity and incoherent methods of revolution. She emphasised the need for a unifying structure that would be open to hearing and understanding the opposition in other to be able to access what the people want.
She said the country needed to create a middle-placed dialogue table, where everyone would meet without wearing political coats of identity.
Mayisela said the new party was not going to take a direct left stance but was going to advocate for the people to be considered and for the principle of good governance to be upheld.
Other political organisations that made an impact on their formation include the Economic Freedom Fighters Eswatini (EFFSWA). EFFSWA has been launching more branches across the country since its formation late last year. The Swaziland Democratic Party (SWADEPA) also recruited more members at its inception.
Longest serving political parties such as the Ngwane National Liberation Congress (NNLC), Sive Siyinqaba Movement and the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) membership could not be easily confirmed. Their website did not have updated information.