Vol. 75/No. 6      February 14, 2011

Workers in Swaziland
I have just read disturbing news that some U.S. politicians think they can solve the economic crisis at the expense of the workers of the United States. I am young worker in Swaziland and a leader of the Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO). Our country is faced with the same problems Americans and other workers in the world are facing.

The government of the Kingdom of Swaziland on the advice of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is planning to lay off 10,000 workers. The government is also privatizing state-owned enterprises, which provide basic necessities like water and electricity.

Sixty-nine percent of the population lives below the poverty line and the majority of them do not have access to these services. Putting this service into the hands of private owners will make it even harder to access this service. We’re calling on workers of the world to unite and fight this evil agent of the imperialist master of the West.

We are calling on the workers of the world to assist us as we fight the oppressive regime of Mswati III, which continues suppress dissenting voices in Swaziland. As I write this letter the president of SWAYOCO is languishing in jail detained by Mswati's police.

Sifiso Mabuza
by e-mail

21st century communication
The Militant quotes Ziad Mhirsi about the events in Tunisia saying, “It’s not a Facebook revolution. Definitely not. People went into the streets, people died, people demonstrated.”

At the same time, I do believe that the efficiency and social power of 21st century electronic communication can be a tool in the hands of the working class and all defenders of meaningful human rights and democracy.

B.F.
Peekskill, New York  
 
 
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