Africa-Press – Eswatini. Lwazi Dlamini,the newly elected President of the Eswatini National Association of Journalists(SNAJ) has come-out to clarify that, the Association is not in any way, funded or controlled by Swaziland News editor Zweli Martin Dlamini, he dismissed such narrative being spread within some circles in the corridors of power as baseless.
In a statement released on Saturday evening, the Chairman confirmed that,towards the Elective Conference, editor offered to assist in securing funding by engaging stakeholders.
“Following years of inactivity, Eswatini journalists recently saw the need to revive their association and it was agreed that the starting point would be to hold an elective conference to elect a new executive.Part of the preparations for the elections involved resource mobilisation and various individuals and stakeholders voluntarily extended support financially and otherwise.One of the individuals is Zweli Martin Dlamini, the editor, a journalist who is now based in South Africa. Dlamini offered to assist by engaging stakeholders and this helped secure a significant part of the funding to host the AGM.The newly-elected executive has, however, noted with concern a growing narrative that seeks to portray it and its members as being funded by Dlamini.We therefore would like to set the record straight that whilst we value his support ahead of the AGM held on February 1st 2025, he is not in any way funding the association.We would like to categorically state that the association is an independent body that seeks to promote the highest professional journalism standards, integrity and media accountability,” he said through the statement.
The Chairman said, “the association is currently ceased with the process of reviving itself including registration,membership verification, financial audit and reviewing its fundraising strategy, capacity building and digital journalism training for its membership and finalizing constitutional amendments, among other activities” He then pleaded for patience while the Executive Committee works on organising the association to be a fully operational journalists association that’s promotes press freedom while remaining compliant with national, regional and international laws and standards.
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