A LEGEND HAS GONE

Sir,

Please allow me space to correct a few inaccuracies in Musa Isaiah N Hlophe’s letter in this publication dated August 30, 2019. Most of the time they say it is honourable to let the dead rest in peace, rather than bringing up their names in an attempt to score cheap political mileage.

The assertion by Hlophe that it was the Ngwane National Liberatory Congress (NNLC) that brought about the independence Constitution is not only false, but also misleading, especially to the younger generation who may have interest in the history of this country.

Hlophe chooses to ignore the fact that the NNLC withdrew from participation in the committee appointed by then Queen’s Commissioner, Sir Frances Lloyd, to draft a Constitution for this country.

Committee

The committee comprised all major political parties, including the NNLC, and government officials. As a result of its withdrawal, the NNLC, led by Dr Ambrose Zwane, had no input in the drafting process of the independence Constitution whatsoever.     

Secondly, when the final Constitution was published by the British Government in 1967, there was uproar of condemnation of the document as it turned out that the views of even those political parties that had participated in the drafting process were ignored. The NNLC was among those who condemned the document though it had not taken part in its drafting.

To remind Hlophe and the readers, the NNLC’s major problem with the Constitution was in its election clauses which stipulated that each political party would field three candidates in every constituency instead of one. Dr Zwane duped this a farce; a one man three votes, instead of one man one vote.

Support

It was for this reason that the NNLC MPs; Dr Zwane and Mageja Masilela voted with Imbokodvo in the House of Assembly in support of the motion moved by Prince Makhosini, then Prime Minister and leader of the Imbokodvo. The motion criticized the Constitution, which Prince Makhosini described as unworkable and not in the best interest of the nation. Of course, the NNLC MPs were not aware of what the implications of the motion would lead to. They did not know it would lead to the banning of all political parties in the country.

Faceless cabals and their acolytes, as Hlophe puts it, never existed during the period pre or post independence as all political parties operated freely throughout until April 12, 1973. We must also be reminded of  the role played by King Sobhuza II each time we speak about this country’s independence.

It was King Sobhuza who approached the then Resident Commissioner in Mbabane, Brian Marwick in 1960, to request him to convey to the colonial office in London that emaSwati were now ready to take charge of their own affairs. It is this bold move that set the ball rolling, and opened floodgates for political activities. By the end of that year the first political party in the land was already in operation, with Dr Zwane as its Secretary General.

Detention

The detention of Dr Zwane, that Hlophe referred to, happened after April 12, 1973, following the repeal of the independence Constitution and the banning of all political activities in the kingdom.

Finally, for his much talked about book to be credible, Hlophe must not forget to do a lot of research work, including consultations with those who were there at the time, instead of relying on his memory. Many are still alive, and I have in mind people like Prince Masitsela. These things happened a long time ago.

Mandla M Dlamini
Mbabane                    

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