MASS RESIGNATIONS IN SWAYOCO

MBABANE – Crisis!

The youth league of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) seems to be in a crisis, after the resignation of senior members in its leadership structure. It has been ascertained that this has been influenced by disgruntlements stemming from PUDEMO’s 10th General Congress, which was held in February in Mpumalanga, South Africa. The youth league, which is popularly known as the Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO), suffered a collective resignation of one of its very active regional structures, the Hhohho Regional Executive Committee (REC). The committee resigned en masse through a letter dated April 14, 2023 and addressed to the Secretary General (SG) of SWAYOCO. Coincidentally, the SG, Mciniseli Nkanyezi Vilakati, also filed his own resignation letter the next day. Vilakati’s letter, which was addressed to ‘whom it may concern’, stated that he was resigning from the office of SG and was grateful to have served SWAYOCO since April 2022.

tendered my resignation

“This serves to inform you that I have tendered my resignation as the secretary general of Swaziland Youth Congress as per the outcome of the 10th National General Congress. I am a young person who subscribe to the values of cohesion and collectivism and multi-faceted activist who is dedicated to the overthrow of the oppressive regime. I am a product of student activism as I was groomed through the trenches, unlike other populists that thrive on Facebook likes. My passion for social justice, making a tangible difference in the community is what kept me strong even when I experience slandering from my own comrades (sic),” reads Vilakati’s letter. Vilakati was called to verify if the letter was indeed authored by him, and he confirmed that all the contents were his written words. However, he requested not to expand on the contents of the letter and said a lot was happening behind the scenes, and it eventually led to his resignation.

“I appreciate the opportunity to respond to your inquiry regarding my resignation as the SG of SWAYOCO. I can confirm the contents of the letter as authentic and also confirm that I have resigned from the youth league of PUDEMO. Unfortunately, I cannot expand on the contents as you have requested, because I was advised against it, so I would request that you respect that. I remain a loyal and committed member of the PUDEMO and I still firmly believe in PUDEMO, the idea. I will continue with my activism as a young, disciplined cadre, because the task ahead needs all hands on the deck. There is a myopic assumption by many that for one to be actively involved in the struggle, s/he (sic) must occupy a certain position. The PUDEMO I joined taught me that leadership was about influence and ideas. I will continue working in the trenches and put all my effort where it would yield the much desired and needed outcomes,” he said.

Sources close to the matter revealed that issues of micromanagement by PUDEMO as the mother-body of SWAYOCO were highlighted as a persistent challenge within the youth league.
The sources said it appeared that the focus on the youth league was more geared towards being a voting fodder for PUDEMO leaders as compared to championing the concerns and aspirations of young people in the struggle for national democratic revolution, as outlined in PUDEMO’s strategy and tactics. “The resignation of the entire REC of the Hhohho region, including Vilakati, was a consequence of the mother-body’s interference to the autonomy values of the youth league without substantiated political justification. It is worth noting that the Hhohho Region was one of the most organised of all the structures, with clear plans and available resources. Regrettably, as Vilakati said, populism has taken precedence within the youth league, overshadowing the substantive work that should be the priority. Slander, gossip, and mudslinging have become the norm, hindering meaningful engagement and impeding the progress of the organisation,” said the source.

Another source close to PUDEMO said Vilakati’s assertion that there was lack of organisational cohesion and a shared understanding of objectives between SWAYOCO and PUDEMO had been a significant concern. She said authority lines were blurred, and decision-making was not consistent, as the PUDEMO would constantly assume powers that were constitutionally designated to SWAYOCO NEC. In a letter signed by Regional Secretary Setsabile Mdlovu and five other members, the Hhohho REC did not state their reasons for resigning en masse, except that the decision was made after ‘a sequence of events’.

resign as a collective

“This letter serves to inform all relevant structures of the movement that, following a sequence of events not of our will, we have reached an unfavourable decision to resign as a collective from the REC SWAYOCO Hhohho Region. Having assumed the regional executive office from February 12, 2022, we had an experience of a lifetime leading young people of Hhohho during this era of rebuilding SWAYOCO. In order for the Youth league to emerge stronger even in our region, we believe it is in the best interest of the organisation that we hand over the region to more capable leaders,” reads the letter. The resigned REC affirmed that they would remain firm in the foundational principles of the movement to fulfil its generational mission.
PUDEMO Spokesperson Maxwell Dlamini confirmed that the SG of SWAYOCO had resigned. Dlamini said Vilakati cited personal reasons and informed them that he wanted to focus on other personal endeavours.

accepted the resignation

“SWAYOCO has accepted the resignation and wishes him well. PUDEMO salutes the commitment exhibited by the former SG of SWAYOCO and his contribution to mobilising and organising the youth around the liberation programme of PUDEMO. PUDEMO is cognisant that leading SWAYOCO or any of the structures of PUDEMO is not an easy task and takes a heavy toll on the individuals and comrades who avail themselves to this task; hence, we salute and appreciate them for sacrificing their time and resources in serving the movement, poor and marginalised,” said Dlamini. He further stated that PUDEMO was currently in talks with the SWAYOCO Hhohho REC that had also resigned. He said the Hhohho REC cited challenges in working with PUDEMO REC in the region.

He added that they mentioned the issue of micromanagement by the PUDEMO REC and said they were currently engaging them in an attempt to find a solution. “PUDEMO is currently engaging with the SWAYOCO REC of the Hhohho region, which has resigned, citing challenges in working with PUDEMO REC in Hhohho, including micromanagement issues. PUDEMO NEC has established a team to engage and work with both RECs of Hhohho to find the problem in that region. Hence, PUDEMO and SWAYOCO leadership have not yet accepted the resignation of Hhohho SWAYOCO REC,” he said. Dlamini urged members of the organisation to remain calm as the NEC was dealing with the issues caused by the aftermath of the congress.

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