UNLOCK COMMUNITY AIRWAVES

Sir,

Firstly, clarification; I won’t refer to the above title theme in my introductory paragraphs which is why I am writing this letter, subsequently instead.
I have never written about royal individuals before except the Royal institution several times in my capacity as a journalist.

But this open missive is for you Princess Sikhanyiso because you’re a Cabinet minister in Eswatini responsible for Information, Communication and Technology, which was affirmed when you took oath, thus a public servant accountable to the taxpayers. I’ve just finished the month of May when Press Freedom Day is commemorated worldwide.

I felt it is just an appropriate moment to write to you because the media is under your ministry. You hold a momentous ministry princess, as the media is rated the ‘Fourth Estate’ in the world’s governance among the separation of powers; Cabinet which is the executive, judiciary and Parliament, hence the media is respected by democratic countries except dictators or autocrats.

watchdog comments extensively

And the media, as the watchdog dutifully writes and comments extensively on the country’s democratic landscape and human rights among others.
Having said that, my brief humble message to you is ‘unlock the community radio airwaves wide open, so that people can freely discuss, exchange and debate different views affecting this peaceful Eswatini.

Let the people intellectually debate issues without fear and even engage government. We are the only country in SADC without a community radio, yet we even assisted South Africa in attaining independence but they have several community radios and TV stations besides government’s SABC.
Our government’s temporary permits, which are given to community radio only when there are national ceremonies is not good enough.
Let our government discard the fear of the unknown about the community radio.

challenging you princess
By the way, our Eswatini, being a political condescension country, some servile, cronies and sycophants seeking favours from you, will say that I am challenging you princess.

But what is there to challenge when you’ve hardly started to do real media work, except what we will call familiarising.
Yes, indeed there is a lot to write about, but it is too early to do that. As a watchdog, the media is for among others – democracy, human rights, transparency and above all for the voiceless.

Yes they will tell you that it’s on the coming Media Bill, but with due respect princess, the community radio has been on the agenda since the radio was introduced into Swaziland, now Eswatini, and we are now talking about over 50 years.
We are watching!

Parks Mangena 

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