A red flag. An SACP flag. Picture: African News Agency (ANA) Archives.
Durban - The SACP has threatened to use King Misuzulu kaZwelithini’s coronation event in Durban this weekend to highlight the plight of eSwatini citizens, under what the party regards as the oppressive leadership of King Mswati III.
On Saturday, Durban will be abuzz as thousands are expected to gather at the Moses Mabhida Stadium for the handing over of a certificate of recognition by President Cyril Ramaphosa, confirming King Misuzulu as the monarch to the Zulu nation.
The SACP leadership believes that the event will be an opportune moment to raise the plight of the people of eSwatini.
SACP KwaZulu-Natal second provincial secretary Bheki Mbatha said the party had decided to hold a protest.
He pointed out that it was not meant to disrupt the festivities, but was aimed at raising awareness about the conditions under which many people in eSwatini lived.
“We are not disrespectful to King Misuzulu, but we will be failing in our role as vanguards in not bringing to the world’s attention what the people of Swaziland have had to endure.
“South Africa is a democratic country and we do not believe that an autocratic individual such as King Mswati should be accorded any status,” Mbatha said.
He cited the imprisonment of political activists and the lack of political activity in eSwatini in recent years as the reasons behind their insistence that the absolute monarch not attend the festivities in Durban on Saturday.
“We have always and will continue to demonstrate our solidarity with the people of Swaziland because we believe that they should be enjoying the kind of freedom that we enjoy,” Mbatha continued.
He equated the experience of the people of eSwatini to that of living under the apartheid government.
“For us it is important to conscientise everyone concerned about what our neighbours continue to endure because King Mswati is someone who just does not have respect for his people, otherwise they would not be made to suffer the way they do under such oppressive laws,” the provincial secretary stressed.
He would not divulge how they would highlight the plight of the people of eSwatini, but insisted that the world would know about the issue.
The festivities are set to draw the attendance of many leading figures in the African continent, including heads of state from other parts of the world. Last week it was confirmed that King Mswati will attend the ceremony.
When asked about protests that may take place regarding his attendance, the king’s spokesperson told Independent Media there was “no reason to think the king could be deterred by the protesters from attending the coronation.”
In addition, international media groups such as the BBC are expected to cover one of the most eagerly awaited events in South Africa.
King Misuzulu ascended to the throne following the death of his father last year, King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, who had held the throne for 49 years.
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