By Zweli Martin Dlamini
Africa-Press – Eswatini. While some ignorant political leaders within the Mass Democratic Movement(MDM) continue to denounce culture labelling it as a tool of oppression, King Mswati has been, on the other hand, using it to consolidate his absolute power or authority.
Recently, Government announced that our traditional attire will now form part of the school uniform, some within the progressive organizations criticized this decision and while casting aspersions, claimed “imvunulo is expensive” and therefore, cannot be affordable to the poor and vulnerable.
But in some schools, sports clothing forms part of the uniform particularly on Wednesday and Friday, parents are ‘forced’ to buy sneakers that cost between one thousand five Rands(R1,500.00) and two thousand Rands(R2,000.00) together with track suits, there was no criticism when this was introduced because it’s Western tradition.
Personally, I fully support the Government decision to introduce “imvunulo” as part of school uniform, our traditional attire is beautiful and our children must be taught to love and embrace culture, they must love embrace who they are as emaSwati.
Political organizations calling for democracy must know one thing; we must be free politically, socially and economically without losing our true identity as emaSwati.
We are black and Africans, we will never be white and therefore we must embrace our cultural identity regardless of political differences.
But having suggested or shared these sentiments, King Mswati must also be warned against using or manipulating our culture as a tool to consolidate power, these days “emajaha eMbutfo” are composing songs mocking those with different political views.
But if comrades can organize their own traditional attire, compose and dance to “King Mswati must fall” traditional songs, our culture could be polluted by politics and divide emaSwati.
Our culture must unite not to divide emaSwati, no one even King Mswati and the progressive leaders, must use culture to divide the Nation.
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