Eswatini Diaspora writes to ANC
MBABANE – United Eswatini Diaspora (UED) has written to the African National Congress (ANC) for assistance in their calls for change.
UED wrote a letter to the South African leading political party on February 22, 2023. The letter which was signed by UED Convenor Bonginkosi Ignitius Dlamini, requested for assistance and the finding of killers of slain Human Rights Lawyer Thulani Maseko.
“We would be grateful if your organisation can provide the following support on this grave matter of mercenaries killing our people. The latest victim is a leading Human Rights Lawyer and Chairperson of the Multi-Stakeholder Forum, Mr Thulani Rudolf Maseko. Use your influence in the tripartite alliance and as leaders of the democratic Government of SA to support the call for the government to urgently institute the investigation into these alleged mercenaries killing our people in Eswatini,” reads part of the letter.
The Multi-Stakeholder Forum, known as MSF, is a coalition of pro-democracy organisations that include political parties, trade unions, students, youth, women organisations and non-government organisations (NGOs). The UED also forms part of the MSF.
The organisation called for the ANC to implement programmes that would assist them in their calls for democratic change in the country. They asked the ruling party to engage on discussions that would help them to continue with the struggle, such as border blockades among others.
FOUGHT FOR THEIR FREEDOM
“Like the people of SA who fought for their freedom from apartheid, we the people of Eswatini are actively fighting for our own freedom from the current government. Once again, we are greatly indebted to our fellow comrades in the ANC who have fought along us for so many years. We make this solemnly pledge, that, we are doing everything to achieve our democracy and freedom in our lifetime,” the UED.
The organisation further mentioned that they had also written letters to other organisations and requested for assistance.
They also requested for a meeting with the leadership of the ANC, where they proposed to state what they termed as ‘the case of the people of Eswatini’.
“We look forward to meeting with you dear comrades,” he said.
When called for comment, the convenor of the UED, Dlamini, said they were engaging in a robust drive to garner international support in order to further their calls for change in the country.
He mentioned that they had written a letter to most of the influential political groups in South Africa. He stated that the intention was for them to be heard, so that they could send across their concerns.
“We wrote to the ANC, COSATU, SAFTU, SACP, EFF to push the SA government to institute the investigation into these alleged mercenaries. We intend pushing for meetings with all these organisations to state the Swazi case. Prior to that we wrote letters to the presidency and Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), applied and mobilised people for a picket,” he said.
Dlamini said they were able to host a picket in Pretoria on Friday February 10, 2023, where they delivered a memorandum with their demands and requests.
“In the week of March, we wrote more than 50 letters to members of the diplomatic corps, political and trade union movement, former SA presidents and their foundations and other key stakeholders in the SA body of politics,” he added.
He mentioned that they have more projects planned for the promotion of the calls for democracy in the country and outside. Some of the plans he mentioned cannot be repeated for ethical reasons.
Dlamini further called for the media to be a part of their drive and to support their calls for change. He said emaSwati living in the diaspora were committed to the calls for change but needed the media to amplify their calls.
“For this to succeed, and to be impactful we need the press to inform our people, and the world on what is being done to bring about change to the country. We are forever grateful for the work the online and traditional or mainstream media is doing to amplify the call for change through sharing the UED gospel,” he said.
DIFFERENT POLITICAL PARTIES
The UED is composed of some emaSwati from different political parties. However, according to Dlamini, a majority of these members did not affiliate to any political organisation.
Dlamini said the group of emaSwati was prepared to do anything for the country to ascertain change.
“They are working full time on a voluntary basis for the freedom of their people. Their work is there for all to see. With a bit of support, financially and otherwise, they can do more. The one thing we request from the press, online or mainstream or traditional press, is to report accurately on the work.
“The United Eswatini Diaspora are no messiahs, but are committed servants of our people and motherland,” he added.
The UED is a NGO registered in South Africa and was founded after the June 2021 political unrest in the country. It was founded by Dlamini and he said its primary aim was to assist emaSwati to find lasting peace and democracy in order for the country to develop.
He reiterated that their aim was to ensure sustainable peace and democracy in the country and the region through advocacy and campaigns.