Religion and Politics in Swaziland:

R. Simangaliso Kumalo

Description

The author offers a candid reflection on the interface between politics and religion in Swaziland by reflecting on the works of Joshua Mzizi. The strength of the book lies in the fact that the author, a public theologian, gives insight into the bigger story – the interface between politics and religion in Africa.

Sujets

• Littérature Sud-Africaine
• Littérature sud-africaine
• Swaziland
• Tradition
• Swazi
• Monarchy
• Politics
• Rationale
• Suazilandia
• Suazi

Informations

• Publié par: UJ Press
• Date de parution: 01 septembre 2013
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781920382230
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 9 Mo

Extrait

RELIGION & POLITICS IN SWAZILAND

The contributions of Dr J.B. Mzizi

R. SIMANGALISO KUMALO E D I TO R

RELIGION & POLITICS IN SWAZILAND The contributions of Dr J.B. Mzizi

R . S I M A N G A L I S O K U M A L O EDITOR

Religion and politics in Swaziland:

The contributions of Dr J.B. Mzizi

Published by Sun Media Bloemfontein (Pty) Ltd.

Imprint: SunBonani Scholar

All rights reserved

Copyright © 2013 Sun Media Bloemfontein and R. Simangaliso Kumalo

This publication was subjected to an independent double-blind peer evaluation by the publisher.

The author and the publisher have made every eFort to obtain permission for and acknowledge the

use of copyrighted material. Refer all inquiries to the publisher.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic, photographic or mechanical means, including photocopying and recording on record, tape or laser disk, on microfilm, via the Internet, by e-mail, or by any other information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission by the publisher.

Views reLected in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher.

First edition 2013

ISBN: 978-1-920382-29-2 (Print) ISBN: 978-1-920382-23-0 (e-book) DOI: https://doi.org/10.18820/9781920382230

Set in 10.5/12 Swis721 Cover design, typesetting and production by Sun Media Bloemfontein

Research, academic and reference works are published under this imprint in print and electronic format.

This printed copy can be ordered directly from: [e-mail] The e-book is available at the following link: https://doi.org/10.18820/9781920382230

CONTENTS

DEDICATION .......................................................................................................... DEFINITION OF SWAZI TERMS ............................................................................. ACRONYMS ........................................................................................................... PREFACE ...............................................................................................................

– SECTION ONE – THE PALACE, THE PARISH AND THE POWER: POSTCOLONIAL PERSPECTIVES ON J.B. MZIZI’S WORKS ................................ A postcolonial reading of Mzizi’s works ................................................. Rationale, textual notes, selection, sources arrangement and structure .................................................................................................

MZIZI’S AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL WRITINGS ........................................................... Raised by the Swazi-Christian God ........................................................ Early and tertiary education ................................................................... Political activism ..................................................................................... A prophet rejected by his own people ................................................... Conclusion .............................................................................................

– SECTION TWO – THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ETHNO-RELIGIOUS IDENTITY OF THE SWAZI PEOPLE AND THE SWAZIASATION OF CHRISTIANITY ................... Introduction ............................................................................................ Genesis of Swaziland ............................................................................. Economic context ..................................................................................

– SECTION THREE –

MZIZI’S REFLECTIONS ON THE RELIGION POLITICS AND THE MONARCHY ...........................................................................................................

PART 1 – ECUMENISM AND RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE ....................................... Challenges of proselytisation in contemporary Swaziland ................... Historical roots of Christian nationalism in Swaziland ........................... Elements of civil religion ......................................................................... Swazi Zionism and civil religion ............................................................. Religious freedom in Swaziland ............................................................. Freedom of religion and the law .............................................................

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PART 2 – MONARCHY: THE DOMINANCE OF THE SWAZI MONARCHY AND THE MORAL DYNAMICS OF DEMOCRATISATION OF THE SWAZI STATE ................................................................................. Introduction ............................................................................................. Triumph of tradition ................................................................................. Images of Kingship: Somhlolo’s vision .................................................. Uneasy lies the head that holds the crown ........................................... The King should be above politics ........................................................ King Mswati, a political novice ............................................................... There is more than what meets the eye in the removal of the speaker of parliament by the King ......................................................... We need change very soon, Your Majesty! ............................................ Reflections on the King’s birthday .......................................................... Tell the King: “Your Majesty, you are without clothes” .......................... The monarchy and dictatorship ............................................................. Princess Sikhanyiso and theUmcwashoceremony: When hip-hop and Swazi culture collide ....................................................................... Swimming in uncertain waters:Incwala................................................. The political economy ofUmcwasho.....................................................

PART 3 – ON HUMAN RIGHTS FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND THE TINKUNDLA SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT ............................................. What is freedom of expression? ............................................................. What is theTinkundlasystem of government?....................................... Is there freedom of expression in Swaziland? ....................................... What happened to good conscience for public leaders? ..................... Minister must explain Tholeni murder issue ........................................... Remembering Black Wednesday ........................................................... Albert and Kati: Are Cain and Abel ........................................................ Political and religious tolerance is a good virtue.................................... Highlights on the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights ....... Comrades indeed are also comrades in truth ....................................... Say "yes" to peace and "no" to conflict! ................................................. We are living a lie ................................................................................... The culture of violence against the people by the police brutality is being sown in this country .................................................................

PART 4 – POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE IN SWAZILAND FROM A WESTMINSTER MODEL TO A HOMEGROWN CONSTITUTIONAL DISPENSATION ...................................................................................... State of the opposition............................................................................ Conception of security: A case of competing possibilities ................... Conclusion ..............................................................................................

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PART 5 – TRADITION AND POLITICS .................................................................... Too much eating, too little talk: When tradition becomes our monster .................................................................................................. Topsy-turvy, Swazi politics ..................................................................... Zig-zag unchanging changes in Swaziland .......................................... Between radical and moderate politics: A dialogue with Sive Siyinqaba ........................................................................................ Reflection on the elections and challenges facing the monarchy in setting up government ........................................................................... Our independence is not something to be proud of ............................. Don’t build Swaziland on a misfiredTinkhundlasystem........................ What is parliament’s mandate in the Constitution Bill? .......................... Come Swaziland, wake up and smell the coffee ................................... Exciting times: The changes in Swaziland’s politics .............................. Where is Swaziland in this confusion? ................................................... The centre cannot hold as Swaziland is ushered into the dungeon of death ................................................................................................... Let reason and peace save us from ourselves ...................................... Whither Swaziland in African Renaissance? .......................................... The Judiciary in Swaziland and the rule of law ...................................... Political control of the Swaziland Television and Broadcasting Corporation ............................................................................................. The instability of Swaziland’s economy ................................................. The need for social transformation in Swaziland ................................... Elections and theTinkhundlasystem .................................................... Mathendele Dlamini and theTinkhundlasystem ................................... Government and the prosecution of justice ........................................... Stumbling blocks in Swazi politics ......................................................... My New Year’s resolution is multi-partysm in Swaziland ....................... Should Government fuel the fire or play a mediatory role? ................... United you stand and divided you fall: A warning to the Trade Union Movement .......................................................................... Who will save us from biased journalism? ............................................

PART 6 – CHURCH AND STATE IN SWAZILAND IS SOMHLOLO’S DREAM A SCANDAL FOR SWAZI HEGEMONY? ............................................... Introduction ............................................................................................. Conceptual framework ........................................................................... The dream revisited ............................................................................... The popular reading of the dream ......................................................... A secular or historical reading of the dream .......................................... A religious reading of the dream: Toward an integrative approach ...... The Christian clause debate ...................................................................

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The King summons the Christian clergy ............................................... Section 4 of the 2003 Draft Constitution ................................................ Conclusion ............................................................................................. Civil religion and the Bible in Swaziland ................................................ Untangling the riddle of Somhlolo’s vision ............................................ The conflict between Christianity and African Religion .......................... Swazi preachers should not be silly apologists to colonial Christianity .............................................................................................. Indilingawas the bullet whileUmculu..............................was learning Mdluli, anti-papism: An old-fashioned religious doctrine....................... The Constitution and the Christian clause debate ................................ Public peace results from social justice, Christians must ask what peace is! ........................................................................................ They cry peace, when there is no peace................................................ The church failed to address thestatus quo.......................................... Church and the prophetic ministry ......................................................... The church has a role in the mass stay-away in January ...................... Swazi bishops just too nice to the Prime Minister ................................. Between God and Ceaser: The relationship between the King and early missionaries in Swaziland ...................................................... My pastor is a politician … does God still have a servant? (2) ............. Theological dialogue and tolerance is better than directionless debate .................................................................................................... Accept others as you would that they accept you (1) ........................... Accept others as you would that they accept you (2)............................ Dushu Maguga … You! You can be a Shembe follower! ...................... Now is the time that the church should unite and embark on a prophetic ministry ..................................................................................

PART 7 – CELEBRATING HEORES OF DEMOCRACY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE ........................................................................... Tribute to Vusie Thwala .......................................................................... Prime Minister Sibusiso: Is he Africa’s dictator of the human rights violation? ...................................................................................... Arthur Khoza the pilgrim: What would Nkrumah think of this man? ..... The wise words of Martin Luther King Jr. ............................................... Remembering civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr. Sunday ........... Bishop Ncamiso Ndlovu: The prophetic voice ......................................

– SECTION FOUR –

J.B. MZIZI: AS SEEN AND HEARD BY OTHERS ...................................................

PART 1 – A PROPHET AND LIBERATOR OF MODERN SWAZILAND | BY COMFORT MABUZA ........................................................................

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Mzizi the student .................................................................................... Mzizi the teacher .................................................................................... Mzizi the scholar – theologian ................................................................ Mzizi, the advocate and activist for human rights .................................. Mzizi the communicator and social commentator ................................. Mzizi the Christian .................................................................................. Mzizi the family man ...............................................................................

PART 2 – THE HUMAN SIDE OF AN AFRICAN POLITICAL THEOLOGIAN | BY NONHLANHLA JOYCE VILAKATI .....................................................

PART 3 – HE WAS A MAN OF HONOUR | BY BHEKI MAKHUBU ........................

PART 4 – HE STOOD FOR THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS | BY BHEKI MAKHUBU ............................................................................. The literal understanding of the Bible ....................................................

PART 5 – HE WAS A TEACHER AND ROLE MODEL FOR ALL ASPIRING ACTIVIST-INTELLECTUALS | BY SIKELELA DLAMINI ...........................

PART 6 – J.B. MZIZI: THE FACE AND SPIRIT OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS MOVEMENT OF SWAZILAND | BY VELAPHI MAMBA ..........................

– SECTION FIVE –

THE LEGACY OF A POSTCOLONIAL SWAZILAND .............................................. Intellectual-activist .................................................................................. The role of the University in political development ................................ Liberation Theology: A tool in the hands of the church ......................... Liberation and human rights go together .............................................. On church and state relations ................................................................ On African Traditional Religions and Africa Initiated Church’s views on politics and governance ................................................................... The Evangelical approach to church-state relations .............................. The mainline church’s approach to church-state relations ................... On Somhloloism in a democratic pluralistic society .............................. The imperative of collaboration across the religious spectrum ............ Reactions to Mzizi’s religio-political work .............................................. Uncritical acceptance of African traditional leaders .............................. Exclusion of women’s issues in the struggle ......................................... Conclusion ..............................................................................................

BIBLIOGRAPHY ......................................................................................................

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DEDICATION

his book is dedicated to the memory of the T late Joshua Bhekinkosi Mzizi who heeded the call to serve his country and people as a public intellectual and proponent of Liberation Theology. This call earned him friends and foes but he remained steadfast until his death. When he died, Swaziland lost one of her greatest intellectuals and Africa one of her greatest sons. It is also dedicated to all the freedom-loving people of Africa who dare to believe that anew anddemocratic Swaziland is indeed possible – a Swaziland where people will not be judged by the ethnic identity that history gave them, the political party they belong to and the gender orientation creation imposed on them, but by the content of their character and the depth of their love for freedom and human dignity.

Theologically speaking only God can bring about the spirit of freedom. I am talking about total and holistic freedom, not the kind that frees one’s soul, which suddenly realises that the body is trapped in the endless human agony. God’s freedom is absolute, complete – not relative. Relative freedom is the kind that overemphasises the salvation of souls at the expense of socio-economic and political freedom. Freedom cannot be relativised and God cannot be compartmentalised. – J.B. Mzizi

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