SNAT BURIAL TOLD: RESPECT BUGANU FEST, HALT ELECTIONS

PIGG’S PEAK – Some members of SNAT Burial Scheme are outraged over the continuation of the 2023 elections on Saturday, February 25, 2023, when the country will be hosting the annual Buganu Festival at Buhleni Royal Residence.

SNAT denotes the Swaziland National Teachers Association. According to some members who spoke to this publication, the executive seems to want them to boycott the cultural event. They claimed that the association was still bitter of the fact that they did not allow the donation of a casket for Mlandvo Khumalo, who was suspected to have shot and injured an umbutfo, during the march by Ingatja to cut the sacred shrub (lusekwane).

Donated

The donated casket was worth E15 000, however, it was later withdrawn after some members raised concerns. “We have not heard of such in the past. How could the country host the Buganu Festival and then the organisation also has its own event taking place on the same day?” rhetorically asked one member. SNAT and SNAT Burial Scheme member Sikelela Mhlanga said he was in total agreement with other members, whose view was that the SNAT Burial Scheme elections should be postponed to a new date, as the Buganu Festival was an important cultural event, which must be respected by all emaSwati.

“The elections should be postponed as the event would have a counter attraction against the Buganu Festival. If the SNAT Burial Scheme elections are not postponed, that would mean SNAT is fighting against the monarchy,” he said. Mhlanga indicated that there were many teachers who belonged to the Lutsango regiment, who were expected and would want to attend the cultural event. He said if the elections were not postponed, it would be as good as depriving the SNAT Burial Scheme women members their right to attend the cultural activity.

“It is a norm in the kingdom that when there is an important cultural activity, other activities are postponed. We have seen this happen countless times. If the SNAT Burial Scheme elections are postponed and held on another day, I do not see what would be lost,” said Mhlanga. The member said this should not be a subject for debate, but the elections must be postponed to a new date. “We must respect events commissioned by Their Majesties. SNAT Burial Scheme is a subsidiary to SNAT union, the organisation cannot therefore look as if it is competing with Their Majesties because all emaSwati pay homage to the King,” said the member. Mhlanga added that apart from observing the cultural event, Lutsango, who comprised a significant number of teachers, were taught many developmental skills such as how to start and run businesses.

Argued

He argued that if teachers belonging to the Lutsango regiment were deprived of an opportunity to attend the event, they would miss out on good opportunities that might help them develop themselves. SNAT Burial Scheme Secretary Bonginkosi Dlamini, said as far as they were concerned, the cultural event did not mean other planned activities should be put on hold. He also explained that the continuation of the elections did not mean they wanted their members to boycott the cultural event as others may think. “In fact, we will prioritise those who want to attend the Buganu Festival.

“Those who intend to go there should arrive early on the day and we will make sure that they vote first and then be allowed to go and attend the event. I will also attend the cultural event, but I will start by voting,” said the secretary. He said the elections would start from as early as 7am. Dlamini said it did not really make sense to postpone the elections which were announced last year. Meanwhile, there are 14 candidates competing for three positions. According to members of the SNAT Burial Scheme, the positions include that of the secretary, as well as member one and two.

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