Senators blast Cabinet over Magawugawu'
LOBAMBA – Senators yesterday lashed out at Cabinet for banning popular gospel artist Mduduzi ‘Magawugawu’ Simelane from Swazi TV on suspicion that he was campaigning for the 2013 national elections.
They were displeased that Simelane, who had a popular charity programme called ‘Makhelwane Simbona Nge-tento’, was no longer allowed to host the programme on Swazi TV every week.
The programme helped people who were either looking for long lost relatives, needed help in dealing with serious illnesses and even built homes for the poor and elderly.
Despite this, government pulled the plug in August 16 because it was felt that Simelane was indirectly positioning himself for a seat in Parliament. This decision was in line with the new Public Service Announcement (PSA) regulations which government has effected without the input of legislators.
The regulations disallow politicians to address their constituencies through the media.
Senators, however, were disappointed with this decision and wanted government to reinstate Simelane’s programme as soon as possible. They also wanted a clear definition of campaigning and being a Good Samaritan.
Senator Thuli Msane, who raised the motion, said Cabinet had gone out of its way to gag people from national media and this was unacceptable.
"Who has so much power to stop people from talking in national media? There are people who say offensive things about this country but they remain untouched. Why is the country attracting criticism from outside and isn’t this gagging infuriating people?" asked Msane.
She said people like Simelane were able to attend to the needy by using the media to reach out to society for help, which had nothing to do with campaigning.
Senator Moi moi Masilela said it just did not make sense to shut down a person who helped other people.
He felt that the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) needed to straighten up this matter quickly. He said social networking sites were the ones that had to be shut down because people used them to insult the nation and authorities.
Senator Ngom’yayona Gamedze said Cabinet’s strategy of silencing people was really confusing.
He said Simelane’s programme helped government reach out to the needy, but still it was removed.
"Where do you draw the line that a person is now campaigning and who is the expert who can analyse such? What about Ludzidzini Governor (Timothy Velabo Mtetwa), when he speaks on radio, will he be now classified as campaigning? Simelane’s programme had a lot of viewers and if he relocates to Channel Swazi the state media will lose viewership," said Gamedze.
He added that the kingdom was slowly being turned into a place where fear reigned supreme.
‘Time for MPs to go’
LOBAMBA – Senator Robert Zwane said it was time for parliamentarians to go home since they could no longer address those who elected them.
He said it was very painful that Cabinet had decided to prevent them from speaking even to the rural folk who voted for them.
"God must come down and help us here.
We should at least have been told specifically what not to talk about in the media. I was really touched to hear that ‘Magawugawu’ was now banned. It seems that government wants to be the only one using the media. Yesterday I got a call from outside the country where the caller asked me who ran the country now?" said Zwane.
COMMENTS:
- So now its obvious even to Senators that this cabinet is made up of wrong candidates that just think about their stomachs only. Just a tip to cabinet, Magawugawu deserves more a seat in parliament. He is just levels higher than your ''competition''. You guys went from pillar to post campaigning saying that you will do this and that and finally u did nothing than exerting frustration and making life unbearable to our parents (who voted for u after you deceived them), and to the school going kids(which will grow up with a long grudge for government for destroying their carrers at such a tender age) as if this was the first govt to face self created financial crises and SNAT strikes. It still wories me that what are these politicians still doing in office other than more and nore mess by the day. May God come to rescue here.
August 28, 2012, 8:20 am, Thabiso (thabiso.mkhonta@gmail.com)
- People why bit about the bush as if this person who is pulling all these stunts akatiwa? Why not hold the bull by its horns? Mine Im dissappointed ngani nonkhe bakangwane. My humble question is why should we be made to pay for TV licence uma sitokhetselwa ngumuntfu e hospital hill what to watch? I rest my case.
August 28, 2012, 8:20 am, nhlanhla (nkanyezim66@yahoo.com)
Well Instead of debating real issues like the communications bill, something that will take the country further in terms of foreign investment, what do you know?Senators are locked down of this petty issue. I know people in the high circles are involved could be involved with the show. Those Senators/MPs have they considered who foots the bill/Tv licenses when embarking on such a show? They use Swazi TV equipment to produce and or edit the show. A show of this magnitude is costly to the tax payer and Im expected to Pay for a TV license for this. If Senators were for freedom of whatever, they should be debating at the ad Rates Swazi TV is charging when advertising. Clearly you cannot charge E600.00 for a 30 second ad thats so ridiculous . TV/Cable is an expensive medium to run. For a change we want to have people who know how to read and understand how these things work in the Parliament. Those senators, MPs behave 3rd world if not 4th world and so out of touch with reality and how to TV works. Please note people Im not saying its wrong what ‘Magawugawu’ is doing but, with this kind of show so much a lot is involved and real money has to be spent. You cannot abuse state owned equipment just to secure a SEAT in Parliament.... Also I call upon the senate to review the marketing strategy for SwaziTv. Lenny Shoulder no longer relates to-days standards and way of thinking. He was on Ok when the station started.
August 29, 2012, 11:41 am, Vinny O (vinny@gmail.com)
- Why why why??? if i may ask mr editor, when did the program Makhelwane simbona ngetento first shown in our screens? It has been a while now, so the cabinet only discovered now that he is campaining just because their term in office is coming to an end. this is a man of God, he is serving God purpose. I want the program back so that i can identify who to donate to.
August 29, 2012, 2:08 pm, mbongeni (ziks.mbong@gmail.com)
- who said that "Magawugawu" is campaigning. why is the issue raised now after working so hard, helping the Swazi people. anyway, even if he is campaigning, at least he has heart for the people. as we are speaking, many families are smiling because of the heart he has. anyway i will be glad if he can move to Channel Swazi, at least that is an independent television station
August 29, 2012, 2:09 pm, Sifiso Ndumiso Dlamini (sifisod30@yahoo.com)
- Maye MaSwati (hhayi nonkhe) tinhlitiyo tenu timbi. Ngumona wodvwa phela lo. I have a relative who could have died a long time ago but because of this man (Maguwugawu) he is alive. Where was Cabinet then? I am praying that the nation ichubeke ime emthandazweni. All the bad people are exposed this days, that shows our prayers are answered. Keep on praying hard angeke bayicedze nale term babi. Gawzela God will be with you, umsebenti wakho uyabonakala UNGESABI.
August 29, 2012, 2:09 pm, Calile Dludlu (calidludlu@gmail.com)
- We were debating this with one senior citizen and he told me "Dr, it is easy for a greedy man to spot a rival and work to eradicate him and his legacy from the public than to think what good to do for a hungry Nation."
August 29, 2012, 2:10 pm, Brother Leader Dr Sanele (drsaneledlamini@yahoo.com)
- ewu! some people are jelous. has the cabinet ran out of things to discuss in parly?
August 29, 2012, 3:51 pm, Priceless Mphile M (mphilepm@yahoo.com)
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