SALO Public Policy Dialogue on Swaziland: Building Bridges for Change – 26 July 2024
Watch here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/7frFzhDQQWQVw9aZ/
In light of the recent events in Swaziland, this dialogue aimed to promote greater solidarity with the people of Swaziland.
Two pro-democracy Members of Parliament in Swaziland, Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube have just been collectively sentenced to sixty-eight years in prison for demanding democratic reforms. In a situation of deteriorating human rights and further closure of civic space that has seen many young people going into exile in South Africa or Mozambique, this dialogue provided an update on the situation in Swaziland to build towards greater understanding and a stronger solidarity movement.
Panelists included:
- Mary Pais da Silva- Co-Director, African Initiative of Women Human Rights Defenders Swaziland
- Colani Maseko – Former President of Swaziland National Union of Students
- Mlungisi Makhanya – President of PUDEMO
- Cebile Dlamini – Treasurer, Rural Women’s Assembly
- Gabie Ndukuya – President of Swaziland National Union of Students
Panelists discussed whether there has been progress with the Mass Democratic Movement’s demands for a national dialogue, which has been promised by both SADC and King Mswati since 2021.
The dialogue also provided a platform for updates with regards to investigations and the pursuit of justice for the activists who have been killed, such as Thulani Maseko amongst many others.
Further, we discussed whether there has been any compensation towards the victims of the 2021 massacre.
While providing a platform to hear perspectives from inside Swaziland, the dialogue also focused on what is needed from the solidarity movement within the region and especially in South Africa. We discussed whether the GNU may provide opportunities or challenges for the solidarity movement.