SSN Congratulates ANC at its 100th Year Celebrations

This January 2012, the Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN) takes this opportunity to congratulate the African National Congress, a giant of the African struggle, on its centenary celebrations. We are here witnesses to a political milestone, not only for the people of South Africa, but for the Southern African region in particular, Africa, and the world that was inspired by the sacrifice and humility of the African National Congress. The ANC belongs in heart and mind to all the struggling masses of our world. It inspired and influenced oppressed people the world over to struggle for freedom.

The history between the ANC and the struggling people of Swaziland

Because of the intertwined historical background of the peoples of Southern Africa, mostly brought about by colonialisation, migration and family ties, it has always been difficult to separate the peoples of South African from those of the former frontline states. It is common knowledge that lots of the people from these countries actively participated in the liberation struggle of South Africa. They voluntarily joined the liberation movement and actively engaged in the war of liberation. The Swaziland people are no exception.

The Monarchy in Swaziland worked with the Apartheid regime to undermine the liberation struggles in South Africa

However, there is a distinction between the government of Swaziland and the progressive forces in terms of their respective alignment to the liberation struggle in South Africa as it was waged by the liberation forces in general and the ANC in particular.  It is very important to make this distinction as more often than not, it is distorted by forces who want to exploit the historical relationship for selfish ends.

In Swaziland at some point in time, Queen Regent Lomawa is said to have supported the ANC. This should be acknowledged and applauded. However, it is a fact that the Monarchy in Swaziland, from the reign of King Sobhuza II, and in particular in the very volatile 1970s and 1980s up to 1990 decided to actively work with the Apartheid regime to undermine the liberation struggles in South Africa.

The 1976 Soweto Uprising

During the 1976 uprising, a new sense of militancy developed within the youth of not only South Africa, but the Southern African region as well. This influenced the students of Swaziland who themselves yearned for proper freedom. The 'Black Power' slogans gripped the tiny country of Swaziland. King Sobhuza II was not happy with the developments.

1982 Pretoria Accord between Swaziland and the Apartheid regime

In 1982 King Sobhuza II signed the Pretoria accord with the apartheid regime. Comrade Secretary General, we have no doubt that you have read this accord at some point in time. In short, this accord spelt out the relationship between the Monarchy in Swaziland and the Apartheid regime in Pretoria. The Boers would use its military force to help the Monarchy crush any opposition to its archaic and repressive rule. In turn, the Monarchy will flush out any cadres of the ANC from its territory. This accord was implemented to the fullest by both parties between 1982 and 1990. However, the events of 1982 to 1989 proved very difficult to the ANC and the members of the progressive forces inside Swaziland. It was during this era that many MK cadres were abducted, tortured, handed over to the apartheid regime by the Royal Swaziland Police. Many cadres were killed inside Swaziland. These included:

1. Cde Sello Motau (Alias Paul Dikeledi);
2. Cde Job Tlhabane (Cassius Maake);
3. Cde Keith Mcfadden (Brother of Pudemo founding member and MK operative Cde Gavin Mcfadden);
4. Cde Zweli Nyanda (Brother to cde Siphiwe Nyanda);
5. Mildred Msomi (Daughter of Sister Msomi at Mhlambanyatsi Clinic);
6. Tutu Nkwanyana (UNISWA Student/graduate).

There were many unidentified soldiers of Umkhonto WeSizwe who were murdered by the Royal paramilitary police.

Other comrades like Cdes Ebrahim Ebrahim and Bhabhalazi Bulunga (Eskom HR Manager) were abducted in Swaziland and handed over to the apartheid police at Oshoek Border gate in day light.

Many MK cadres were separated from other prisoners and moved to an unsecured camp called Mawelawela in Luyengo under the instruction of the Swazi Monarchy. More than 33 of these were moved under the cover o f the night to a tiny remote prison of Mankayane in the Western part of Swaziland. These were to be moved out at night and handed over to the Apartheid regime by the Royal Swaziland Police under then Commissioner Majaji Simelane and then Manzini Regional Commander, Simon Zwane.

In the same period, more than 15 PUDEMO leaders were arrested and charged under the sedition and high treason laws. They were charged under 60 day detention without trial laws and spent more than a year in prison. These included the current PUDEMO President, Cde Mario Masuku and others.

As we celebrate 100 years with this giant popular movement, let us remember the people who stood with the people of South Africa Struggle during the difficult times of the liberation struggle. In these 100 years of struggle, there were true friends and true enemies. In Swaziland, the struggling people led by PUDEMO were true friends of the ANC and the South African people. PUDEMO remains a true friend of the ANC and all the popular and progressive forces in the region like FRELIMO, SWAPO, MPLA and the Cuban people are. The apartheid regime was the enemy of the ANC in the same vein as RENAMO, UNITA and the Swaziland Monarchy. There is nothing further from this historical fact.

As the ANC and the people of South Africa celebrate the centenary, it should not forget its historical role. This, amongst other things is to continue their historical relationship with the struggling masses of Swaziland who always look up to the ANC and its tripartite alliance for guidance.

Finally, we wish to thank the ANC for the support it has given to the Swazi exiles in South Africa. Allowing the exiles to live in SA is a reflection of the historical relationship that existed between the struggling masses of Swaziland under their movement, PUDEMO and the ANC.

A lot is still to be done. We salute the ANC!! Long Live the ANC long Live!!
In Solidarity, Solly Mapaila, SSN, Chairperson, South Africa Chapter

Lucky Lukheles
Spokesperson
Swaziland Solidarity Network

For more about the Swaziland Solidarity Network, refer to www.ssnonline.net.

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