Another woman in pants stopped from nominating

MBABANE – It has been revealed that another woman was refused permission to nominate a candidate at Mhlangatane constituency because she was not dressed properly.

Fakazile Luhlanga of Ndvwabangeni was also not allowed permission to nominate as she was wearing cargo pants.
She related that she raised a hand with the intention to nominate, but the presiding officer said she would not be given a chance to participate because of her dress code.

Luhlanga said she was told that she was dressed like a man and would be a bad influence to the community members as they would emulate her.
In an earlier interview with this publication acting Ludzidzini Governor TV Mtetwa said chiefs had no right to prescribe a dress code for the public.
The governor was responding to statements made by Mpolonjeni Chief Petros Dvuba who had warned members of the public that they should respect imiphakatsi and dress accordingly.

Elections and Boundaries Commission Vice Chairman, Mzwandile Fakudze, when asked to comment on the matter said he was yet to consult with the cited presiding officers of the on what really transpired?
Luhlanga’s experience comes after another 18-year-old female was disqualified from running for the Member of Parliament (MP) category during the nominations at Lubulini for wearing a pair of trousers.

On the other hand, the disqualification of the 18- year old Mana Mavi-mbela was a gross violation of her constitutional right, according to Human Rights lawyer Mandla Mkhwa-nazi.

The lawyer said the presiding officer had infringed upon Mavimbela’s rights.
Mkhwanazi said the country’s constitution did not discriminate on an individual based on dress code.
Mavimbela was nominated under her chiefdom at Lusabeni for the position of Member of Parliament but was refused permission by the presiding officer.

Upon her nomination, Lindiwe Sukati who was the presiding officer was heard talking to the electorates that a person dressed like Mavimbela was not acceptable at the Royal Kraal, hence she was disqualified.
Mavimbela expressed her displeasure with the decision of the presiding officer stating that she had intentions to develop her community which was lacking in other areas.

It’s discrimination - Young Women

MBABANE – The Swa-ziland Young Women’s Network (SYWON) says Swaziland is far from graduating to the first world status if pants and miniskirts are considered to be burning issues.

National Coordinator Hleli Luhlanga said Swaziland had formulated a Youth and Gender Policy and the Constitution itself whereby there is no provision that states that a person should be discriminated against based on their dress code.   

Luhlanga said the issue of the dress code was injustice used by patriarchal people to show their power. “Pants are used as a basis of discrimination by the above mentioned people,” the fuming Luhlanga said.
She highlighted the discrimination of women based on their dress code in Parliament where women without a headscarf cannot participate in parliament sessions.

“There are a number of burning issues that should be tackled by the country but instead legislators choose to focus on other issues of no interest,” she said. 
Luhlanga said there were still a number of barriers that needed to be addressed that affected women in the country.

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