About 39 years ago, says PUDEMO in its latest leaflet, “on the 12th April (1973), the Swazi monarchy banned political parties and all forms of political activity. He went on to declare that his “armed forces have been posted to all strategic places and have taken charge of all affairs in the country”.
This is why PUDEMO has declared that this year must mark a decisive difference in the way we commemorate and mark this historic day.
We are proud to have been consistent in our work to raise national and international awareness around the meaning and significance of this day for years now.
The significance of 2012 and beyond
The significance of this year’s event is punctuated by the fact that it shall be preceding the following events of next year (2013):
⁍ PUDEMO shall be marking 30 years of revolutionary mass struggles and painful sacrifices.
⁍ The 1973 king’s proclamation that formally enslaved Swazis shall be turning 40 years.
⁍ SWAYOCO, our Youth league, shall be marking 22 years of militant and popular youth struggles.
⁍ The tinkhundla regime shall be holding their usual royal circus disguised as “elections”.
This means, we must gear for an all-out offensive, with every Swazi actively participating in playing a key role to change our country’s situation. This day is not a PUDEMO day, neither is it anybody else’s day, but its s day of national mourning, where all Swazis display their anger on the streets and wherever they happen to be.
PUDEMO has clearly called upon all progressive forces to work together and not compete against each other in seeking to make an impact on this day. This year must focus on the demand for the unbanning of political parties and every effort must be focussed on defeating one enemy, the tinkhundla regime only.
Every member of PUDEMO must dedicate all effort towards the unity of the progressive forces, as exemplified by the birth of the new trade union federation, TUCOSWA. This challenges all of us to put aside our small differences and focus on the real problem facing our people, the crisis of political governance and the dehumanising levels of poverty, hunger and corruption by the ruling regime.
PUDEMO IS AGAINST:
1. The corruption, nepotism, and the looting of the people’s resources by the royal family and their cronies.
2. The hard handed methods of the royal police who’s only purpose is to serve royal interests!
3. The running of monopolies such as Swazi MTN which are owned by royal individuals, effectively robbing the Swazi consumer
of their right to choice!
4. The continued divestment in education by the Tinkhundla government, effectively robbing the youth of their futures! even when taxes
on the common Swazi are at their highest levels.
5. The continued investment in the military, the increase in military personnel, aimed only at maintaining the oppression of the masses.
Demands of the Swazi people
⁍ Unbanning of political parties
⁍ Release of all political prisoners and the Unconditional return of all exiles
⁍ Land to the people to guarantee food security and end to hunger for”
Download the attached leaflet
