SSN WELCOMES THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF SWAZILAND

The Swaziland Solidarity Network proudly welcomes the formation of the
Communist Party of Swaziland (CPS). The party was officially launched on the
9th of April 2011 at kaMhlusha, in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa.

It comes at a time when ideological clarity and unity is urgently required
in the mass movement for democracy in the country. The party has its
ideology rooted in Marxist Leninist principles and is working towards
creating a socialist Swaziland. It has made is clear that it does not need
the monarchy “reformed or dressed in democratic trappings to appease the
liberal sensibilities of any interest group or the international community.”

*The CPS campaigns for :*

· The unbanning of all parties and organisations, and institution
of an interim government drawn from all parties, organisations, churches and
trade unions that will set about creating the conditions for free and fair
democratic elections in Swaziland.

· The ending of the monarchic autocracy and the transfer of much of
its wealth to the immediate tasks of fighting disease and the worst aspects
of poverty (such as access to water and sanitation) ; the confiscation of all
crown property and the declaration of Swaziland as a Republic

· The dismantling of the hated Tinkhundla system.

· The isolation of the Mswati regime by all countries of the
international community and the suspension of foreign business activity
until the autocracy is dismantled.

· The respect for rights of all workers to organise into trade
unions, that are in turn empowered to join the political process
individually and through their unions and federations.

· Access to land by all who wish to work it under a controlled
system of collective rights – in the short term to tackle the severe food
scarcity that afflicts 40% of the population.

· An emergency food security strategy, linked to the above demand.

· The creation of radical processes to empower women in society, and
to make women’s health a top priority in health care.

· The creation of local workers and peasants organisations to
articulate the needs of the urban and rural poor.

· The creation of an emergency economic, industrial and employment
strategy to begin to find a way out of the crisis brought about by the
Mswati autocracy and the ruling class.

These demands are found in more detailed form in the party’s programme and
strategy.

We hope that this will put to rest claims by self proclaimed gate keepers of
the Swazi struggle that a Communist party of Swaziland does not exist.

The first national congress of the party will be held within the next six
months in preparation for the first General Congress, which is scheduled for
next year, 2012. All genuine communists are invited to participate in this
important structure.

*Issued By the Swaziland Solidarity Network [SSN]*

*Contact :*

*Lucky Lukhele –SSN- spokesperson*

*072 502 4141*

— 
*Lucky Lukhele- SSN spokesperson*
*Tell:011 339 3621*
*Fax : 0866135762*
*Mobile : 072 502 4141*
*Email : lucky.lukhele@gmail.com *