chief, i think the policies of the anc needs teeth in dealing with states that don't conform to democratic principles. sadc countries assisted the anc to win the battle against apartheid and we are seen doing nothing in return to put pressure in addressing concerns of African brothers and sisters. the American's had pulled out of a conference that is fighting race discrimination because Israel was annoyed by what is been said about them or might be said about them in the conference. can't we do the same? wonder
________________________________ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of phakathi richard Sent: 21/04/2009 12:36 PM To: [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: [YCLSA Discussion] Teach Mswati Democracy PUDEMO calls on South Africans to teach Mswati democracy through their vote tommorrow As South Africans prepare for their important and historic day tomorrow, 22nd April, 2009, PUDEMO take this opportunity to salute them on the gigantic strides they have made as a country and people in search for a better life for all. Your achievements and willingness to openly confront your challenges inspire all of us to strive even more for democracy in our country and continent. We are aware of the numerous challenges that remain, but are impressed about your dedicated energies and focus aimed at directly facing those challenges. The journey started long ago with the struggle to defeat racism and its institutionalised form called apartheid, that struggle is not over, though it has taken a different form under the current conditions. We in Swaziland and the rest of the African continent have a lot to learn from you and your struggle, it is a beacon of hope and inspiration for those of us who still face conditions of political terror and institutionalised persecution in the name of Swazi culture. We still live under conditions of perpetual detention and subjugation, where the right to speak out against injustice is regarded as terrorism. Our President, Mario Masuku is still in tinkhundla jails for speaking out for the people and calling for democracy. We do hope and trust that foreign policy changes in relation to Swaziland shall be necessary if we are to speed up the process of deepening democracy and stability in the region. We have no doubt that it is in the interest of South Africa that democracy is deepened and consolidated throughout the region, for only then can prospects of a better life and development take root in all our countries. The strengthening of regional institutions is necessary and urgent for democracy and development, particularly SADC structures, protocols and enforcement capacity to ensure that all states adhere to all protocols, including the protocol prescribing legitimate electoral processes, which states clearly that it must be multiparty democracy, underpinned by free and fair electoral systems. PUDEMO believes that development in South Africa is closely linked to development in the whole region and South Africa has a unique and critical role to play, owing to its geo-political and strategic position and capacity in the region. In this regard, we call upon the people of South Africa to honour their obligation to the region, by aggressively tackling all possible threats to regional development, including challenging despots and their unacceptable practices. Once again, we reaffirm our position that Mswati's leadership of the SADC Organ troika is a bad example for democracy and exemplary standards throughout the region. We further reaffirm that even in conditions of liberal democracy, liberation movements must maintain their foremost progressive standards and unapologetically confront all elements of feudalist opportunism, state disguises to crush people's power and neo-colonial vestiges. Liberation movements must and still remain the most genuine representatives of social progress, whatever their challenges. This means, it is in their interest that such progressive values find concrete expression in our daily activities throughout the region and beyond their own immediate terrains. Throughout your voting stations, please do remember that as you vote you are teaching Mswati and his royal cohorts how it is done. You are also teaching them that democracy is the only way the people's voices can find expression. For that we thank you in advance and look forward to the continued consolidation of your efforts in your own interest, but even more so, in the interest of the region and continent as a whole. We wish you a peaceful election. Signed Department of International Affairs-PUDEMO Contacts Dep. President - Sikhumbuzo Phakathi - 0731427594 (external) Publicity - Zakhele Mabuza - +268 6073453 (internal) Disclaimer This e-mail and any attachments transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you have received this e-mail in error please notify the sender and delete the original message. 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