Times Of Swaziland: FRUSTRATION OF CONSERVATIVES IN FACE OF PROGRESSIVES

FRUSTRATION OF CONSERVATIVES IN FACE OF PROGRESSIVES
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BY SABELO GABS NXUMALO on 26/10/2021 08:18:00


The late Chief Madzanga Ndwandwe once sat me down and gave me a very interesting
advice.
He said, ‘never try to be close friends with His Majesty, he can never be your
friend but your King because he is libhubesi (lion). When a lion tries to play
and its razor sharp claws come out, you will get hurt by mistake. When old
friends fight they can forgive each other but with a King that’s not possible
because the damage is too great. His friends are only his emakhosikati who also
endure pain from time-to-time. Do your duty and leave until you are called
again’.
When you are appointed to any position, in our language it is said ubulewe (you
have been killed) because your ordinary life dies. You do as you are told to
defend the system (wagana inkhosi). This is the mindset of a conservative
leader. Generally, most emaSwati are conservative with strong traditional and
cultural values. There are many conservative emaSwati who are presently lost and
are having serious mental debates and some are in leadership positions and find
themselves having to defend the system. Events have moved so fast that most have
not had time to catch their breath and internalise a democratic future where a
multi-party government would be in power, not labadzala.
Not knowing political parties’ leadership but just party names has made it
even more difficult to jump ship and abandon the King you know. The fact that
all these changes have come via previously unknown violence and intimidation has
not helped. The silence by the King has not helped also as the instinctive
nature of conservatives is to wait for the King to give direction.
Unfortunately, the last few times His Majesty addressed the nation they were
left more confused because these are emaSwati who are generally not
confrontational by nature. The Sibaya address had played out differently in
their minds, they were expecting the King to first extend condolences to those
who lost their loved ones, express sympathy for the loss of property and
announce the Reconstruction Fund. And in a strong dignified manner issue strong
words of rebuke to the perpetrators. They expected a response more in line with
the response given by Princess Sikhanyiso’s ‘sesivile maSwati’ speech. But
no, as every speech that followed left this conservative group stunned.
Biblical prophets
Conservative emaSwati have remained silent because their perception of the
monarchy has almost biblical connotations. They consider the King to be anointed
by God. 1 Samuel 24 verses 5 to 7 says David spared the life of King Saul, which
was given to his hand but just cut the corner of his robe saying; “I cannot
kill the anointed of God.” For many emaSwati listening to the direct attacks
on the King has been difficult. Their drive for democracy is motivated by moving
the King out of political fire into a safe zone as a constitutional Monarch.
Since prophets have entered the scene it is important as conservatives that we
ask the Bible for direction. Matthew 7:16-20 basically gives guidelines of how
to see a true prophet and a false one through the fruit their produce. Their
language, character even dress code will tell you who they are. If the ‘man’
of God curses and uses bad language, know immediately that he is a false
prophet.
Sibaya
The past week must have been a great relief to many conservatives as His Majesty
finally extended sympathy and condolences to the victims of the unrest even
though it was not from him personally. Traditionally and according to the
Constitution (Chapter xiv Traditional Institutions 232) Sibaya, the People’s
Parliament, is the correct place to make major political changes. This has
brought some hope of normality to a lot of conservatives, however, the biggest
concern is placing the Incwala ceremony at great risk of possible bloodshed as
emabufto might clash with political party formations. That is if nothing is done
between now and the Incwala ceremony. Some form of dialogue, maybe through
Parliament, can minimise the risk. The threats against traditionalists and
loyalists from progressive forces are too much. To dress up in traditional
attire is risky these days.
Fear
The average conservative liSwati clearly knows that there has to be political
change. The royal family cannot continue like this if it is to remain relevant
and the progressive forces have presented a formula of getting the democracy
they are comfortable with. The narrative is that if you still have any sympathy
towards the monarchy you also agree with alleged killing of innocent protesters.
This is where the fear is coming from within conservative emaSwati.
My brother, a policeman, was recently accused of killing a student and his
picture plastered on social media putting his life and that of his family in
danger and when the error was brought to the attention of the media house there
was no apology or retraction. The child he is accused of killing is still alive
today. The fear of victimisation is so real to all conservatives. A list posted
on Facebook claiming to be the list of ‘killer army officers’, with their
force numbers turned out to be a list licked from a government department which
is preparing things for the water party (bemanti) and these officers had nothing
to do with any killings. This also means police officers who will be escorting
the water party are at risk.
Democracy, the rule of law
We say we are fighting for democracy and the rule of law but presently two
Members of Parliament are unjustly imprisoned without bail. The conservative
liSwati who is not part of any political party is asking himself; if they (MPs)
can be locked up what will happen to them if they dare challenge the system.
Most conservatives don’t like to challenge authority and would rather endure
injustice which is not part of the progressives’ spirit which says if they
can’t do it legally they do it anyhow.
The conservatives find themselves caught between a rock and a hard place. The
way the progressives are moving gives the conservatives fear that when this is
over the rule of law will be compromised through kangaroo courts as the present
system is breaking the rule of law and locking up Members of Parliament with
flimsy charges.
I have received a lot of emails from conservatives who are frustrated, saying
they wish to be part of the democratic movement for change, but when asked to
publish their responses with their names they refuse. Some say we must come
together but soon disappear. History will always remember the every action taken
or not taken. Don’t think too much just follow the path that feels right, God
is with you. septermbereswatini@gmail.com