Stories from Quick Reads and Eswatini
Introducing Swaziland’s Most Prominent Poetry Movement
Sabelo Mkhabela blogs about Swaziland's growing poetry movement: Swazi poet and visionary Themba Mavuso speaks with a humble, unrehearsed tone. He looks nothing like a poet – his hair is neatly combed and he spots a corporate office-ready white shirt and black chinos. Adding street to his attire is a...
Video: Imprisoned Swazi Lawyer Speaks Through Human Rights Activists
#swazijustice is a campaign calling for the release of Bheki Makhubu, editor of the Nation magazine and Thulani Maseko, a human rights lawyer, who were jailed in Swaziland for two years for writing an article critical of the judiciary in the country. The two were arrested on 17 March, 2014...
Live Tweets of Trial of Human Rights Lawyer and Journalist in Swaziland
MISA-Swaziland is live tweeting the the trial of human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko and journalist Bheki Makhubu for contempt of court in Swaziland. The two were arrested on 17 March 2014.
Swaziland: The Princess show-stopper ‘virginity dance’
Welcome DLAMINI writes about ‘virginity dance’ in a post published on swazilive.com: Her Royal Highness Princess Sikhanyiso performed her show-stopper ‘virginity dance’ under floodlights yesterday as the 2012 Reed Dance Ceremony progressed into the twilight
Swaziland: King Demands Cows From the Poor
Multimillionaire King Mswati of Swaziland demands cows from the poor: “King Mswati III of Swaziland’s demand that his impoverished subjects supply him with cattle to slaughter for his birthday party has been met with anger and scorn. The king is estimated to have a personal fortune of US$200 million while...
Swaziland: New Union Wants Democracy
Tthe newly launched trade union in Swaziland hopes to press for democracy: “The new group is expected to discuss how to step up its campaign for democracy in the kingdom ruled by King Mswati III, sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch.Major protests are expected in April and May this year.”
Swaziland: The Hypocrisy of King Mswati III
Richard Rooney discusses the hypocrisy of King Mswati III of Swaziland: “King Mswati III of Swaziland is being hypocritical when he expresses disappointment at individuals who continue to plunder state resources for personal benefit. That’s because he is the biggest plunderer of state resources and he has bled his subjects...
Swaziland: King Mswati Must Go
Richard Rooney posts a press release from the Botswana National Front in support of progressive forces in Swaziland: “The Botswana National Front (BNF) joins the rest of the progressive forces who are currently in solidarity with the people of Swaziland during the Global Week of Action against Swaziland (5th-11th September)...
Swziland: AFP Correspondent Phone Bugged
AFP correspondent in Swaziland says her phone is bugged: “At first I believed it must be some kind of mix up at the phone company. People who tried calling me when my phone was off told me they got through to someone else who said not to worry he would...
Swaziland: Anger at revolution snub
The Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN) has criticized the reporting of the proposed ‘uprising’ against the government on 12 April 2011 by the Times of Swaziland: “In particular, it takes issue with comments attributed to Dr Judy Smith Hohn of the Institute for Security Studies, in South Africa.”
Swaziland: Swazi Media Commentary
Swazi Media Commentary is a blog about the struggle for human rights in Swaziland.
Swaziland: My work with social centers
Josh writes about the project he is working on in Swaziland: “Basically, my office operates 4 Social Centers in my town. There are 6 wards but only 4 Social Centers. The basic duties of the Social Centers are first it is a pre-school that operates during regular school days, second...
Swaziland: The Swazis who dare to demand democracy
Mathews writes about activists who dare to challenge the King of Swaziland: “The Swazis are losing patience with this conspicuous consumption, however. In August 2008, hundreds of women marched through the streets of Mbabane, the capital, to protest against a shopping trip for nine of the king’s wives to Europe.”
Swaziland: Prominent Human Rights Lawyer Arrested
Prominent human rights lawyer in Swaziland has been arrested: “Proving that Mswati can give Mugabe a run for his money, prominent Swazi human rights lawyer, Thulani Maseko has been arrested and detained. Initially, charged under the Suppression of Terrorism Act, which at least would have provided an opportunity to challenge...
Angola: Reflections on Ncwala, an African New Year Ceremony
In the last post of the year at Koluki blog [pt], we find a description of a national ritual of Swaziland, a country the Angolan blogger considers one of the most beautiful, friendly and warm in southern Africa. “The sacred Ncwala, or “first fruits ceremony” that is now underway in...
Swaziland: Mathematics and patients
Ryan shares his observations about numbers and patients in Swaziland: “Mthobisi’s fleece sweatshirt had the number ‘14’ on it. I remember this value because it matched Mthobisi’s CD4 count on 31 January, 2007, just before he started ARVs.”
Swaziland: Swazi culture 101
A short post on Back to Swaziland blog about Swazi culture: “While we were waiting for lunch to be ready, because you can only take uncooked food for the chief and it is prepared by his family, the chief showed us around is residence. It was a privilege to be...
Swaziland: cultural competency pop quiz
A Swazi cultural competency pop quiz from Ryan: “Please classify the thirteen pictured foods as (a) ubiquitous in Swaziland, (b) available in Swaziland, but unaffordable by most all Swazis (c) nowhere in Swaziland. If you email me your answers (or leave them under comments), I will reward the winner with...
Swaziland: Swazi HIV Awareness Poster Series
Read the latest Swazi HIV Awareness Poster Series from Pediatrician in Swaziland: “The Church can make a difference in the fight against HIV and Aids: Accept and support HIV people in the church.”
Africa: renewable technologies
Africa Unchained writes, “Karekezi, S…surveys (PDF) the dissemination of renewable technologies in Sub-Saharan Africa…and attempts to evaluate the potential for these technologies to meet the energy needs of Africa’s poor…“
Africa: Moving on from the digital indaba
Meskel Square on “Moving on from the Digital Indaba“: “Overall it was a huge success. One way of judging that is to look at all the discussions that are still carrying on in posts and comments and Technorati links. The discussions started with the race debate which I now wish...