Swaziland – union action – jobs – investments – clothing industry

Swaziland – union action – jobs – investments – clothing industry

Following the cosatu xenophobia article which you published in the Swazi Observer it is clear that COSATU does not have the interests of Swazi workers, let alone the Swazi Nation. COSATU has sent its members to literally invade Swaziland in order to stop investors from crossing into Swaziland from South Africa. COSATU is here to protect the jobs of their membership. They are not here to promote democracy. The ANC is very much aware of the schemmings of their alliance partner. Indeed, COSATU is acting in bad faith and unfortunately Swazi workers have fallen for it.

It is an open secret, thanks to the loud mouthed Swaziland Investment Promotion Authority (SIPA} that some Taiwanese textile companies have been thinking of leaving Kwazulu-Natal to set shop in Swaziland. These companies are said to be running away from the minimum wages recently set by COSATU for textile workers. COSATU realises that if these Chinese textile companies leave South Africa for Swaziland, thousands of their workers will lose jobs.

The ANC also realises that such an occurance will go against the party’s pledge for the provision of millions of jobs in the near future. Indeed, this puts our friend President Jacob Zuma in a dilemma because the Kwazulu-Natal job loses would mean a serious minus in his votes from his strongest base.

COSATU has ably demonstrated to the Chinese investors that COSATU runs the show even in broke Swaziland. They cannot therefore, running away from the high textile workers’ wages. Come on Swazi workers i COSATU inishaya ngemfe iphindziwe. Bashishise indlu yabo sebatsi nani shisani yenu indlu so that the Chinese textile companies will be scared away from Swaziland. Swazi workers are smarter than this. I have no doubt that Jan Sithole would have done better than this.

‘Wake up Swazi workers’

Swazi workers must wake up.

The hunt for investors and jobs is a very serious business. South Africa has so much to offer to investors as they boast of excellent communication infrastructure including ict, road, sea and air transport. Our best commodity has all along been our peace and the trainable and affordable skilled labour.

COSATU has invaded Swaziland to take away that very special offer which has been attracting investors into our country. A democratic Swaziland without jobs will be a curse to future generations who will be forced to cross the border to RSA, where they will be subjected to xenophobia.

XENOPHOBIA HAS NO CLEAR EYES

Let me warn Swazi workers and all citizens about xenophobia.

This is sickness that is closely related to madness born out anger. Lunatics always lack proper judgement and this is even recognised by the courts of law that will not convict a mad murderer. Once xenophobia has set into motion against the children of the Swazi leadership, I bet you my head and skull it will not distinguish between the Swazi worker’s child and the princess’ child. I guess perhaps Swazi workers will give red T-shirts to their children to wear everyday and every night to escape xenophobia. Unleashing xenophobia on innocent Swazi children who happen to be studying in RSA will have untold misery on all Swazis since Swazis are all the same as we have never branded our children who are always given equal treatment. Under xenophobia MP Trusty Gina’s son is same as SFTU’s Mduduzi Gina’s son. No Swazi should be excited or accept the branding of Swazi children who are studying in RSA. Soon it will be Swazi traders and Swazi workers in RSA. Let us reject this evil from the onset. We trust that the South African institutions of higher learning will not stoop that low to allow the disclosure of particulars of their Swazi students to be exposed to xenophobia.

COSATU HAS NO RESPECT FOR SWAZI WORKERS

COSATU has shown total disregard and disrespect for Swazi workers under the pretext of solidarity.

Cosatu is telling the world exactly what Malema said about the Batswana that they are weak and unable to organise themselves.

The proud and able Jan Sithole often crossed swords with COSATU because he was a strong leader and would not be dictated to by COSATU. There is nothing wrong with Cosatu expressing solidarity for the Swazi cause, but for them to take the forefront and invade Swaziland smacks of some big brother syndrome. Yes Swaziland is broke but we must still protect our pride. We must never allow ourselves to play second fiddle if we still want the respect of our children whether we are workers or rulers.

The invasion of Swaziland by COSATU has brought some exoneration on the conservatives who have always alleged that the call for democracy in Swaziland is foreign motivated. Otherwise the Swazis are neither interested nor capable of fighting for democracy. This is wrong. COSATU must just stay out of our struggle. They can support us from within RSA. Except, of cause if they want to pursue their agenda of driving away investors from Swaziland.

Come to think of it. What support did COSATU give to Swazi workers when Swazi Paper Mills relocated to Kwazulu-Natal. I know for a fact that COSATU ululated and enticed the company to leave its Swazi workers stranded and poorer. What solidarity did COSATU demonstrate when SAPPI moved all its mill production from Swaziland to Ngodwane? COSATU definitely enticed SAPPI to do just that because it meant more South Africans would get jobs as the Swazis lose theirs.

Come on Swazi workers just wake up and be smart. Vuka Ngwane and know at all times that there is no free lunch in this cruel world we live in. In order to survive as a winner you must make sure that your stake is securely protected in every partnership or solidarity you enter into or accept.

NB: The author of the article asked to remain anonymous as he is a member of the security forces despite that we don’t encourage people to use pseudo names we felt the points he raises will stimulate the necessary debate.

ANC WILL NOT DISCIPLINE COSATU

To prove this point you just have to listen the deafening silence from the ANC regarding the invasion of Swaziland by COSATU.

The ANC is currently disciplining Julius Malema and the ANC Youth League for threatening to invade Botswana. Now COSATU has invaded Swaziland and the ANC is quiet. Is the ANC playing double standards just because Swaziland is broke and has had to borrow money from RSA? Malema can smile his way in and out of his next disciplinary hearing session because precedence has been set by the ANC’s failure or sheer refusal to discipline COSATU for invading a sovereign state which happens to be also a member of SADC just like Botswana. I guess minister Lutfo Dlamini has already written a strong diplomatic note to Minister Mashabane protesting this invasion. We learnt that the minister for foreign affairs in Botswana did exactly that. No, I don’t think that RSA government will ignore such a protest, note just because they have promised to loan us R2.4 billion.

Reference: The Swazi Observer, 17 September 2011

By Mojozi Madonsela

Links:

"South Africa’s neighbours eye SA clothing companies." Click here to read article.

"SOUTH Africa’s second largest clothing manufacturer, Kingsgate Clothing Group which is based in Durban wants to open a factory in Swaziland."  Click here to read article