welcomed the formation of the Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO). These are the people who have also been calling for political reforms in the kingdom and are incorporated under the banner ‘United Eswatini Diaspora’.
“The United Eswatini Diaspora congratulates Honorable Mduduzi ‘Magawugawu’ Simelane as the interim President of the Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO). We also welcome the birth of SWALIMO and we pledge our support and services and looking forward to a good working relationship,” states the Eswatini Diaspora audio clip trending on social media platforms such as Facebook.
It has also been widely reported that arrested Members of Parliament (MPs) Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube are not in any way associated or members of the newly formed Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO), but expressed their support for the new political party and other organizations calling for democratic reforms. According to Simelane, the establishment of the new political formation is meant to intensify the struggle for democracy.
According to other media reports, the two incarcerated MPs in Mabuza and Dube have asked the removed Siphofaneni Member of Parliament Mduduzi Simelane not to associate or link them with his newly formed Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO). It has been gathered that they have also asked that going forward anything related to their political views, whether in parliament or outside, Lubulini Member of Parliament Timothy Myeni is the person to speak on their behalf.
It has also been reported that the MPs asked that anything related to legal issues or their incarceration their lawyer Sicelo Mngometulu be the person to handle their affairs. The two Members of Parliament indicated that they welcomed and support SWALIMO but feel that at this point they are better positioned to remain outside of any political formation so that they can enjoy support from all political parties and the broader civil society.
SWALIMO, a political party that styles itself as a movement, was formed by Siphofaneni Member of Parliament Mduduzi Magawugawu Simelane. It was launched on Friday 19 November 2021 to much fanfare and excitement. Simelane announced the interim leadership of the party comprising of Secretary-General Dr. Siphetfo Dlamini and National Chairperson Busi Mayisela.
The party is preparing for an official launch where all office bearers shall be elected soon. Simelane’s party has been well received and is already raking in impressive numbers in just a few days of formation. Simelane was reportedly at pains on Friday explaining that the two MPs had not joined SWALIMO but indicated that they had left the door open for them to join.
Unlike at first when there were calls for political reforms, Simelane and the other jailed MPs were calling for an elected Prime Minister instead of an appointed one. However, SWALIMO is now calling for an elected President.
SWALIMO in brief
The Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO) is a Non-Profit organization (NGO) founded in June 2021. The Movement is a democratic, mass-based liberation movement that campaigns for the advancement of democracy, human rights, equality, justice, safety, and dignity for the people of Eswatini.
The movement aims to promote the principles and ideals of social justice, which advocate for equal rights and equitable opportunities for all, equal access to wealth, health, well-being, justice, privileges, and opportunity regardless of the person’s social, legal, political, economic status.
In fulfilling this aim, the SWALIMO seeks to lead and support the struggle of all democratic and patriotic forces to eliminate the oppressive Eswatini’s Tinkhundla system of governance and replace it with a united, democratic Eswatini in which all the people shall govern and enjoy equal rights and freedoms collectively.
Discussion about this post