21 May 2018

Editorial: Welcome to Liciniso


The Communist Party of Swaziland has never minced its words about the question of Swaziland. Swaziland is a capitalist state with feudalist elements. Capitalism is the prevailing mode of production in Swaziland. The country is also locked within a global capitalist world. At the same time we have an absolute monarch which demands tribute labour from the masses, especially in the rural areas, and now increasingly monetary contributions for its extravagant lifestyle. The monarch’s representatives (chiefs) religiously implement its rule in the communities.

Additionally, the absolute monarch evokes “traditional” values and imposes them upon the masses, whipping them to work tirelessly to produce massive profits for capitalism. Capitalists need the monarch’s tyranny to produce immense profits; on the other hand, the monarch needs capitalists to keep the people chained from morning till sunset to maintain loyalty.

Liciniso is a SiSwati term meaning “truth”. That is exactly what this publication seeks to constantly provide to the people; the truth! The fact is that, despite 50 years of independence from Britain, the people of Swaziland still languish in poverty. About 70 percent of the people of Swaziland live below US$2 dollars (R24) each day. The situation is worse in the rural areas, with around 77 percent of the population living there without reasonable prospects of jobs. Meanwhile, the royal family rakes in millions in monies to finance its lavish lifestyle, with the Swazi people expected to part with at least R259.5 million to fund Mswati’s extravagant birthday party this year. Poverty in Swaziland is a creation of no one else but the tinkhundla regime.

Communists and the truth are one

“The Communists disdain to conceal their views and aims. They openly declare that their ends can be attained only by the forcible overthrow of all existing social conditions. Let the ruling classes tremble at a Communistic revolution. The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win.”

These bold words from the Manifesto of the Communist Party (1848) accurately summarise the role and contribution of this publication of the Communist Party of Swaziland, Liciniso, and the ultimate aim of the communist revolution, both in Swaziland and the world.

The communist cause remains relevant today as it was 170 years ago when the Communist Manifesto was first published. Incidentally, the first publication of Liciniso takes place as the working class of the world celebrates 170 years since the Communist Manifesto was first published. We do not take this honour for granted.

Tinkhundla elections are undemocratic

There is no iota of democracy in the 2018 tinkhundla elections. Swaziland’s parliament is nothing but a rubberstamp for the ruling absolute monarch to implement its decisions. Members of Parliament have no power to hold Mswati III and his selected government to account. The judiciary also belongs to the monarch and not the people.

The only justice that the tinkhundla regime deserves, therefore, is nothing but a forcible overthrow by the people, united in the cause for a democratic society!

Through this publication, the Communist Party of Swaziland presents to the people of Swaziland and the world the truth about the brutality of the tinkhundla system!

·         Liciniso


No comments:

Post a Comment

Monday 27 September 2021:- In the past few weeks, primary and secondary students in Swaziland engaged in protest actions demanding better l...