- PUDEMO has vowed to pursue the democratization of Eswatini despite assertions made by Prince Majaha in a video clip recently
- PUDEMO President, referred to the Prince as a young man adding that as an organization, they would not pay much attention to what he said in the video clip.
Mbabane: Proscribed entity – the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) has vowed to pursue the democratization of Eswatini despite assertions made by His Majesty King Mswati III’s son, Prince Majaha in a video clip recently.
The clip is making rounds on social media illustrating a conversation between the late Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Makhosi Vilakati and the Prince where they are interpreted to be mocking the deceased unionist and political activist Jan Jabulani Sithole.
Sithole died in September 12, 2020 from Covid-19 related complications while admitted to a hospital in the Republic of South Africa.
PUDEMO President, Mlungisi Makhanya referred to the prince as a young man, adding that as an organization, they would not pay much attention to what he said in the video clip. Talking to Independent News, Makhanya said whether or not arms are up against the democratization of Eswatini, as an organization their core mandate is to eventually get to that place where the country is surrendered back to the people. “We do not care what the prince or anybody for that matter says, but the country is for everyone who lives in it and reforms are at hand to return it to the people,” said Makhanya.
The president said it would be expected that some certain people within government and royalty would not take kindly the activism of the late Sithole and his demise would lend many to heave a great sigh of relief. “As an organization entrusted with ensuring transition from traditional structures to democracy, we will not relent until that dream is realized,” said Makhanya. The president went on to label the contents of the video as a little utterance that did not deserve the serious attention of a ‘big’ organization as PUDEMO.
“PUDEMO as a liberation movement takes itself very serious and ordinarily refuses to reduce itself to respond to comments that have no relevance to our society,” said Makhanya, adding that while they are extremely upset by the comments made by the prince and the late minister, they are not entirely surprised. The president said the comments are contemptuous of the ordinary Emaswati. “After listening and watching the video clip of the late minister and Prince Majaha, it sounds plausibly clear that in their view, emaSwati are good for nothing but to receive ill-gotten hand-out clothes masqueraded as ‘charity donations,”
Makhanya mentioned that contrary to what the prince said in one of the local publications, Sithole did not give the King a hard time but in fact it was people closest to him (King) who continue to do the same to emaSwati. To qualify his statement, the president said it might help to remind the prince that he recently celebrated his birthday, wherein money notes were flung all over the place, adding that such happened at a time when hordes of emaSwati are dying from Covid-19 related illnesses. The prince’s birthday party was also circulated on social media.
Barely Five (5) years old
He further said the prince was barely five (5) years old when Sithole and other progressive movements fought for the famous 27 Demands in the late nineties and therefore it is reasonable to assume that the views the prince holds about advocates of democracy are a result of years of indoctrination.
“The organization has been existing for over 35 years having begun in 1983 and it is plain to see that it was not known that the prince would be born by then,” said Makhanya. He went on to say paying attention to the prince’s assertions about democracy and Sithole would be tantamount to agreeing to stoop so low, something which is uncharacteristic of an unrelenting organization as PUDEMO.
“All we can say is hard luck Majaha, but we will not buy in to your wishes,” said the president.
Makhanya said the contents of the video clip were inhumane with complete disregard of the late unionist’s wife and his children. “This clearly shows the moral standards to which the country has degraded and where we are headed as a nation considering the status of those participating in the clip, being people that are entrusted with the leadership of the masses,” said Makhanya. Makhanya went on and wished the late minister an eternal and peaceful rest, mentioning that he understood him (late minister) to be a man of integrity, honor and hard work and that the contents of the video were a great surprise to him. “The late minister must indeed rest in peace despite having exposed his true colours against the interests of the majority of the masses.
In the video the two are seen seated on a coach next to each other and enjoying a light moment while also talking about one Sithole (purported by social media users to be Jan Sithole) and sending condolences following his demise. Doing most of the talking, which is punctuated with stitches of laughter between the two is Prince Majaha, and he was lamenting Sithole’s death.
The conversation went something like this:
Prince: … (saying something about labour law)…kunyamalele lelijaha leli laka Sithole… (both minister and prince break out laughing raucously)
Makhosi: (while laughing)…kepha ke sitsi alilale ngekuthula
Prince: He must rest in peace, because in life akusikahle kutsi yonkhintfo itawuhamba nje… (gesturing with his hands to show a smooth flow of things)… kufuta kubekhona (gesturing with his hands to mean yanking one from his comfort zone)
Sithole didn’t need Majaha’s forgiveness
Makhanya stated that the late political activist didn’t need the prince’s forgiveness as he was loved and continues to be and he lives in the hearts of many emaSwati who continue to benefit from his sacrifices. He said on the contrary it is his enemies that need to be forgiven from EmaSwati who are without choice made to receive the bodies of their loved ones wrapped in plastic bags due to the state’s failure to provide the appropriate body bags. The president further stated that the struggle for the freedom of EmaSwati is diverse in the form of dignity, integrity and respect.
Majaha’s utterances were un-Swazi- acting Ludzidzini Governor
Drawn to comment on the video clip, acting Ludzidzini Governor Lusendvo Fakudze said the contents of the video were un-Swazi and unheard of anywhere in the country. Fakudze stated that regardless that the dead person might have been your enemy, good moral practice dictates that one lays aside whatever differences one might have had, cease rejoicing and grieve.
The acting governor said people must draw from the Bible which is full of messages on positive moral behavior and put them to application. He said one must not forget that death knows no bounds and will strike at any one at any time, hence it is imperative that the dead must be honored and respected. “As emaSwati, a nation widely known for respect even beyond the borders we strongly discourage behavior that will worsen the feelings of aggrieved families,” said Fakudze, adding that even His Majesty the King would clearly be appalled at behaviors showing mockery of the dead.
He also drew from the Swati saying which goes; Leyondzile ayitfotelwa, which means one should not wish for the dead of anyone as it knows no bounds and can strike any time at will. Fakudze hastened to say that his assertion should not be misconstrued to be referring to the demise of the late minister.
Another well-known staunch traditionalist who asked to comment on condition of anonymity lambasted the mockery in the contents of the video, saying good morals and Emaswati cannot be separated. He said it was troubling to learn that such behavior as displayed in the video clip involved high profile figures who hold fort in the administration of the country.
“The public can be highly concerned and scared that the people involved in the video clip are leaders entrusted with the nation’s welfare,” said the anonymous personality. “In the case of the death of somebody people are expected to show sympathy and empathy which can only happen when differences are laid aside,” said the personality, adding that it is taboo in Siswati to reduce the death of an individual to a laughing matter.
Other traditionalists who differed with the prince’s video clip include senior prince, Prince Masitsela who unhesitatingly stated that Prince Majaha’s utterances were off-line and mistaken.
Others are Hosea Member of Parliament, Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza who was quoted by a local newspaper to have said it would be proper for the prince to offer a public apology. Last year Mabuza offered 1000 bags of rice to the Prince Majaha Foundation in addition to other initiatives towards the prince’s foundation.
Social network users posted along the same lines as the Ludzidzini Governor and the personality, strongly disparaging the contents of the video. The net surfers expressed dismay and began to attack the content of the video, speaking in one voice and pouring scorn.
They said it was worrying that such behavior was displayed by the county’s leaders. “This is a bad example and we should be worried about what our children will learn, considering that they are tech savvy and draw a lot from social networks. “It is unfortunate that the video has been shared widely and it is almost impossible to delete it,” said one user.
- PUDEMO has vowed to pursue the democratization of Eswatini despite assertions made by Prince Majaha in a video clip recently
Mbabane: Proscribed entity – the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) has vowed to pursue the democratization of Eswatini despite assertions made by His Majesty King Mswati III’s son, Prince Majaha in a video clip recently.
The clip is making rounds on social media illustrating a conversation between the late Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Makhosi Vilakati and the Prince where they are interpreted to be mocking the deceased unionist and political activist Jan Jabulani Sithole.
Sithole died in September 12, 2020 from Covid-19 related complications while admitted to a hospital in the Republic of South Africa.
PUDEMO President, Mlungisi Makhanya referred to the prince as a young man, adding that as an organization, they would not pay much attention to what he said in the video clip. Talking to Independent News, Makhanya said whether or not arms are up against the democratization of Eswatini, as an organization their core mandate is to eventually get to that place where the country is surrendered back to the people. “We do not care what the prince or anybody for that matter says, but the country is for everyone who lives in it and reforms are at hand to return it to the people,” said Makhanya.
The president said it would be expected that some certain people within government and royalty would not take kindly the activism of the late Sithole and his demise would lend many to heave a great sigh of relief. “As an organization entrusted with ensuring transition from traditional structures to democracy, we will not relent until that dream is realized,” said Makhanya. The president went on to label the contents of the video as a little utterance that did not deserve the serious attention of a ‘big’ organization as PUDEMO.
“PUDEMO as a liberation movement takes itself very serious and ordinarily refuses to reduce itself to respond to comments that have no relevance to our society,” said Makhanya, adding that while they are extremely upset by the comments made by the prince and the late minister, they are not entirely surprised. The president said the comments are contemptuous of the ordinary Emaswati. “After listening and watching the video clip of the late minister and Prince Majaha, it sounds plausibly clear that in their view, emaSwati are good for nothing but to receive ill-gotten hand-out clothes masqueraded as ‘charity donations,”
Makhanya mentioned that contrary to what the prince said in one of the local publications, Sithole did not give the King a hard time but in fact it was people closest to him (King) who continue to do the same to emaSwati. To qualify his statement, the president said it might help to remind the prince that he recently celebrated his birthday, wherein money notes were flung all over the place, adding that such happened at a time when hordes of emaSwati are dying from Covid-19 related illnesses. The prince’s birthday party was also circulated on social media.
Barely Five (5) years old
He further said the prince was barely five (5) years old when Sithole and other progressive movements fought for the famous 27 Demands in the late nineties and therefore it is reasonable to assume that the views the prince holds about advocates of democracy are a result of years of indoctrination.
“The organization has been existing for over 35 years having begun in 1983 and it is plain to see that it was not known that the prince would be born by then,” said Makhanya. He went on to say paying attention to the prince’s assertions about democracy and Sithole would be tantamount to agreeing to stoop so low, something which is uncharacteristic of an unrelenting organization as PUDEMO.
“All we can say is hard luck Majaha, but we will not buy in to your wishes,” said the president.
Makhanya said the contents of the video clip were inhumane with complete disregard of the late unionist’s wife and his children. “This clearly shows the moral standards to which the country has degraded and where we are headed as a nation considering the status of those participating in the clip, being people that are entrusted with the leadership of the masses,” said Makhanya. Makhanya went on and wished the late minister an eternal and peaceful rest, mentioning that he understood him (late minister) to be a man of integrity, honor and hard work and that the contents of the video were a great surprise to him. “The late minister must indeed rest in peace despite having exposed his true colours against the interests of the majority of the masses.
In the video the two are seen seated on a coach next to each other and enjoying a light moment while also talking about one Sithole (purported by social media users to be Jan Sithole) and sending condolences following his demise. Doing most of the talking, which is punctuated with stitches of laughter between the two is Prince Majaha, and he was lamenting Sithole’s death.
The conversation went something like this:
Prince: … (saying something about labour law)…kunyamalele lelijaha leli laka Sithole… (both minister and prince break out laughing raucously)
Makhosi: (while laughing)…kepha ke sitsi alilale ngekuthula
Prince: He must rest in peace, because in life akusikahle kutsi yonkhintfo itawuhamba nje… (gesturing with his hands to show a smooth flow of things)… kufuta kubekhona (gesturing with his hands to mean yanking one from his comfort zone)
Sithole didn’t need Majaha’s forgiveness
Makhanya stated that the late political activist didn’t need the prince’s forgiveness as he was loved and continues to be and he lives in the hearts of many emaSwati who continue to benefit from his sacrifices. He said on the contrary it is his enemies that need to be forgiven from EmaSwati who are without choice made to receive the bodies of their loved ones wrapped in plastic bags due to the state’s failure to provide the appropriate body bags. The president further stated that the struggle for the freedom of EmaSwati is diverse in the form of dignity, integrity and respect.
Majaha’s utterances were un-Swazi- acting Ludzidzini Governor
Drawn to comment on the video clip, acting Ludzidzini Governor Lusendvo Fakudze said the contents of the video were un-Swazi and unheard of anywhere in the country. Fakudze stated that regardless that the dead person might have been your enemy, good moral practice dictates that one lays aside whatever differences one might have had, cease rejoicing and grieve.
The acting governor said people must draw from the Bible which is full of messages on positive moral behavior and put them to application. He said one must not forget that death knows no bounds and will strike at any one at any time, hence it is imperative that the dead must be honored and respected. “As emaSwati, a nation widely known for respect even beyond the borders we strongly discourage behavior that will worsen the feelings of aggrieved families,” said Fakudze, adding that even His Majesty the King would clearly be appalled at behaviors showing mockery of the dead.
He also drew from the Swati saying which goes; Leyondzile ayitfotelwa, which means one should not wish for the dead of anyone as it knows no bounds and can strike any time at will. Fakudze hastened to say that his assertion should not be misconstrued to be referring to the demise of the late minister.
Another well-known staunch traditionalist who asked to comment on condition of anonymity lambasted the mockery in the contents of the video, saying good morals and Emaswati cannot be separated. He said it was troubling to learn that such behavior as displayed in the video clip involved high profile figures who hold fort in the administration of the country.
“The public can be highly concerned and scared that the people involved in the video clip are leaders entrusted with the nation’s welfare,” said the anonymous personality. “In the case of the death of somebody people are expected to show sympathy and empathy which can only happen when differences are laid aside,” said the personality, adding that it is taboo in Siswati to reduce the death of an individual to a laughing matter.
Other traditionalists who differed with the prince’s video clip include senior prince, Prince Masitsela who unhesitatingly stated that Prince Majaha’s utterances were off-line and mistaken.
Others are Hosea Member of Parliament, Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza who was quoted by a local newspaper to have said it would be proper for the prince to offer a public apology. Last year Mabuza offered 1000 bags of rice to the Prince Majaha Foundation in addition to other initiatives towards the prince’s foundation.
Social network users posted along the same lines as the Ludzidzini Governor and the personality, strongly disparaging the contents of the video. The net surfers expressed dismay and began to attack the content of the video, speaking in one voice and pouring scorn.
They said it was worrying that such behavior was displayed by the county’s leaders. “This is a bad example and we should be worried about what our children will learn, considering that they are tech savvy and draw a lot from social networks. “It is unfortunate that the video has been shared widely and it is almost impossible to delete it,” said one user.
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