SNAT can’t be separated from politics – Mbongwa
MBABANE – What is the position of SNAT – to ‘politic’, or not to ‘politic’?
SNAT is the Swaziland National Association of Teachers.
SNAT President Mbongwa Dlamini recently noted that the organisation could not be separated from politics. The president noted this during a live interview on Channel YemaSwati’s ‘People and Places’ programme. The programme interviews various personalities to discuss diverse issues.
In a recent televised debate on the programme, the President of SNAT, Mbongwa Dlamini, made a bold statement; that the organisation could not dissociate itself from politics. He spoke during a live programme called People and Places on Channel YemaSwati Television. The programme was being hosted by Qhawe Mamba, who is also the Director of the TV station.
Dlamini spoke after giving a brief description of the organisation’s origin. He said initially, it was a registered as a union, but that at some point, it became banned. He said during the banning, the organisation operated underground until it was later registered as SNAT that is known today.
He said the condition for re-registering the organisation, was that it should be called an association.
During the programme, Mamba wanted clarify on the association’s status and why they discussed politics yet they were considered a union.
Dlamini had said that the country made it very difficult for trade unions to exist.
Dlamini, who referred to SNAT as a trade union, stated that their core issue was to discuss matters relating to their workers, who are teachers. He stated that by discussing workers’ matters, they also discuss matter relating to the economy. Dlaimini then said it was not possible to discuss the economy of the country without talking about politics.
POSSIBLE
He said it was not possible to dissociate the association from political issues.
Also, Dlamini further elaborated that political issues were included in their vision.
This statement underscores the association’s belief that the welfare of workers is intrinsically linked to the political and economic conditions of the country. It also highlights the association’s commitment to advocating for its members in all spheres, including the political one.
Mamba then asked the president what the difference was between a political party and a union. Dlamini responded that a union dealt with matters relating the workers while this was not the case for political parties.
Meanwhile, last Saturday, this publication elaborated how the SNAT president was asked where the organisation had obtained the mandate to participate in the unrest. During 2021, Eswatini had experienced unrest which left the country with damaged property, as well as loss of life. The Channel YemaSwati director asked Dlamini if the organisation had sought permission to participate in the unrest. Dlamini noted that this was never the case and was surprised when Mamba asked the question.
Dlamini instead stated that as a liSwati, he had a right to participate in marches to deliver petitions.
Prior to the unrest, residents from some constituencies countrywide had been delivering petitions, but this was abruptly stopped, after which violence erupted countrywide.
Further, Dlamini said he had not in fact participated in the delivering of the petitions, though he would have done so but that he was not available.