Tell No Lies

Tell No Lies Tell No Lies. Tell No Lies is a collective with members in Swaziland and in the diaspora.

It’s time for sharp, critical news and a debate on how we radically reorganise our struggle to build a democratic and more social just country – Swaziland.

THE SWAZILAND WE WANTA future democratic Swaziland must guarantee that quality healthcare is accessible to all, not only...
28/05/2026

THE SWAZILAND WE WANT

A future democratic Swaziland must guarantee that quality healthcare is accessible to all, not only to those who can afford private hospitals. Healthcare must be a right, not a privilege reserved for the rich.

Education must be free and every child should have access to free quality education from primary school to university. The curriculum must be designed to prepare young people for a modern and changing economy.




Action for Southern Africa - ACTSA



WHAT DOES THE IDEAL SWAZILAND LOOK LIKE?The collapse of the public health sector, the crisis in education, the high unem...
27/05/2026

WHAT DOES THE IDEAL SWAZILAND LOOK LIKE?

The collapse of the public health sector, the crisis in education, the high unemployment rate and widespread poverty all clearly show that the tinkhundla experiment introduced by Sobhuza II in 1978 has failed to deliver better lives for the majority of Swazis.

So how would the ideal Swaziland look like?

What should education look like in a democratic Swaziland? What kind of healthcare system should we build? What policies should be in place to ensure that healthcare is treated as a right instead of a privilege reserved for those that can afford private hospitals?

In the economy, what policies would create jobs, industrialise the country, support small businesses and reduce inequality? How would we ensure that the country’s wealth benefits the majority instead of a connected few as is currently the case?

What about the king? What role would he play? Currently he is an absolute monarch that is above the constitution and what he says, goes. Should that continue in a future Swaziland or he should be a constitutional monarch and let elected leaders govern according to the constitution and will of the people? Or should the country simply become a republic with an elected president?

We need to have a discussion around these questions so we can best understand the kind of future Swaziland we want.

Merely saying we want multiparty democracy is not enough.




Action for Southern Africa - ACTSA



WE ALL WANT TO LIVE BETTER LIVESWhat do the people of Swaziland want? Do we simply want a change from the autocratic tin...
26/05/2026

WE ALL WANT TO LIVE BETTER LIVES

What do the people of Swaziland want? Do we simply want a change from the autocratic tinkhundla system to a constitutional multiparty democracy or do we want a country where all of us can live decent and dignified lives?

We have always been told that the current tinkhundla system of governance is the true Swazi way of life and that "sibahle sinje." But the truth is that this system has failed to improve the lives of the majority.

Today, over 70% of the population lives in poverty. The public health system has collapsed and many families live from hand to mouth. All this while a small elite that is close to the royal family, enjoys wealth and dignity.

So what is the solution? Most progressives argue that a constitutional multiparty democracy is the answer. But then, does democracy on its own guarantee food on the table, jobs, a fully functional public health sector and affordable electricity and water for all? If the system of governance were to change tomorrow, would the lives of ordinary Swazis improve or power would simply move from one elite group to another without any change to the lives of ordinary people?

These are important questions that we need to ask ourselves because political change without a clear vision for the future can leave us disappointed. We have seen it happen in other countries hence it is important that we clearly define the kind of Swaziland we want.

One thing for sure, we all want to live a good life and have equal access to opportunities. And that, must be the foundation on which any meaningful political conversation is built.




Action for Southern Africa - ACTSA




25/05/2026

"When US President Donald Trump's administration started looking for African nations to take in deported third country migrants, Eswatini was quick to step forward, despite concerns about the legality of the programme"

COMFORT FOR A FEW, MISERY FOR THE MAJORITY"We must choose either champagne for a few or safe drinking water for all." Th...
22/05/2026

COMFORT FOR A FEW, MISERY FOR THE MAJORITY

"We must choose either champagne for a few or safe drinking water for all." These words by Thomas Sankara perfectly describes the choice that every government must make. A people-centered government chooses the wellbeing of all citizens making sure that there is equal access to jobs, healthcare, education and good living conditions.

But the tinkhundla government of Mswati chooses champagne for a few. That is why it spends billions serving the king and his family while the majority lives in poverty.

What the king wants, he gets. He wanted a state-of-the-art ICC-FSH, government spent over E8 billion to deliver it. He wanted to over-the-top celebrations to mark his 58 birthday and forty years on the throne, government spent over E200 million to ensure he gets it.

And it will never stop, until the tinkhundla regime falls.







WE WANT OUR AFFORDABLE DUBAIS BACK!A few months ago we wrote about how the tinkhundla government's decision to ban older...
21/05/2026

WE WANT OUR AFFORDABLE DUBAIS BACK!

A few months ago we wrote about how the tinkhundla government's decision to ban older models of Asian imported cars made the lives of many Swazis harder. Yet despite that, only a few are openly talking about it and no one is organising against it. This is worrying because the impact of banning these cars has been huge especially on workers and the poor who depended on these affordable cars.

Before this policy, many Swazis could afford to buy a car and models such as the Honda Fit gave workers such as teachers, nurses and some in the informal sector a chance to buy reliable cars at reasonable prices. But today, the same Honda Fit costs almost double what it used to cost and is now beyond the reach of many families. A car has now become a luxury reserved for the rich.

At the same time, when the policy came into effect, it destroyed livelihoods. Many people who worked in some of the dealerships lost their jobs when these dealerships downscaled their operations and others closed down.

So why aren't we fighting against this policy that has made our lives harder? Why is there no mobilisation, no campaign and no pressure on government to reconsider such a decision?

Umntfwana longakhali ufela embelekweni.







THERE'S FEAR IN SWAZILAND, NOT PEACEIt is said that a lie told often enough, becomes the truth. And that, is what king M...
19/05/2026

THERE'S FEAR IN SWAZILAND, NOT PEACE

It is said that a lie told often enough, becomes the truth. And that, is what king Mswati and his tinkhundla regime are trying to do by telling this lie to the world that Swaziland is a peaceful and stable country. What exists in Swaziland today is fear and intimidation, not peace.

Swazis are living in fear.

A peaceful country does not need masked security forces patrolling the streets at night in foreign registered cars, beating people and bringing fear to communities. A stable and peaceful country does not need to bring in foreign mercenaries to protect the king from his people. A government of the people by the people does not rule by intimidation, fear and force.

In 2021 when Swazis took to the streets demanding justice, accountability and democratic reforms, Mswati responded with bullets. Instead of listening to the frustrations of the people, he unleashed his security forces. More than a hundred people were killed and many more were injured. This was unprecedented and because of that, he lost the love and trust of the people.

When he realised that a majority of Swazis no longer trusted nor supported his tinkhundla regime, he tightened security around himself, bringing in former apartheid era South African security forces to strengthen his protection and train loyal units that would shield him from growing public anger. But that, is a temporary solution.

The reality is that the high levels of poverty, unemployment, a broken public health system and lack of basic services have created extreme frustrations across the country. Young people are sitting at home, frustrated because of lack of scholarships and jobs. Hospitals have no medication and people are dying from treatable diseass. Workers are underpaid and working under terrible conditions while the cost of living is rising. The truth is, in such conditions, there can never be peace and stability. It is just a matter of time.

Swaziland is a tiny country with a small population and there's no reason why so many of us should be living in such hardship while a small elite lives in luxury. If we had a people-centered government, it would focus on improving our lives, not controlling us through fear and intimidation.



Action for Southern Africa - ACTSA




THERE'S NOTHING TRADITIONAL OR CULTURAL ABOUT THE TINKHUNDLA SYSTEMThe Tinkhundla system is often presented by the monar...
18/05/2026

THERE'S NOTHING TRADITIONAL OR CULTURAL ABOUT THE TINKHUNDLA SYSTEM

The Tinkhundla system is often presented by the monarchy as an authentic Swazi form of governance that is rooted in culture and tradition. Infact, the regime has even branded itself as the guardians and defenders of African traditional governance against Western democracy that seeks to change and destroy the African way of life.

But that, is a lie. The tinkhundla system of governance has never been about Swazi culture or tradition. It was a political project that was designed by Sobhuza together with the Afrikaner Broederbond and neo-colonial masters to consolidate royal power and entrench the supremacy of the monarchy and the royal family over the people of Swaziland.

Its origins lie in the political crisis that followed the 1972 elections when the Ngwane National Liberatory Congress (NNLC) won three parliamentary seats during the 1972 elections. This small electoral victory of the NNLC made Sobhuza realise that if the electoral process is not changed, organised political opposition will eventually unseat him and his party, the Imbokodvo National Movement.

A year later, in 1973, he repealed the constitution, banned political parties and vested in himself all powers of government through the infamous 12 April 1973 Decree. He also introduced the 60 days detention without trial as a stick against the opposition.

Five years later, in 1978, the tinkhundla system was formally introduced through the Establishment of Parliament Order-in-Council. Sobhuza himself described it as an experiment, not an ancient or traditional system and it was structured to ensure that real power and executive authority remained in the king.

It weakened parliament and designed elections in a way that made it impossible for organised opposition to participate and emerge. At the same time, the cunning Sobhuza wrapped the entire system in the language of tradition and culture to make resistance to it appear unSwazi or anti Swazi culture and tradition.

But what has the tinkhundla system delivered for the people of Swaziland? It has delivered unprecedented levels of poverty and unemployment, a collapsed public health sector, lack of scholarships and many social challenges that has made life hell for ordinary Swazis.

As designed by Sobhuza and his allies, it has concentrated wealth and power in the monarchy while condemning the majority to poverty and hardship.

For Swazis, the tinkhundla system has been a disaster that has brought them misery.

And that, is its legacy.



Action for Southern Africa - ACTSA


TIBIYO TAKANGWANE MUST SERVE THE NATION, NOT ROYAL FAMILY Tibiyo Taka Ngwane means "Wealth of the Nation" in SiSwati. It...
12/05/2026

TIBIYO TAKANGWANE MUST SERVE THE NATION, NOT ROYAL FAMILY

Tibiyo Taka Ngwane means "Wealth of the Nation" in SiSwati. It was created in 1968 by King Sobhuza II to hold wealth in trust for the Swazi people, empower ordinary Swazis and to assist the government in developing the country.

Its inital funding came from ordinary Swazi families that each contributed a cow through the Lifa Fund so that land and economic power could be returned to the nation from colonial masters. It was supposed to belong to the people and help improve their lives.

But somewhere along the way, it changed to something completely different.

Today, Tibiyo does not operate like a national trust but like a private empire controlled by the king and the royal family. It does not report to Parliament like other public institutions. Its board and executive leadership are appointed by the king and it reports directly to him. Making matters worse is the fact that it does not pay tax despite controlling massive business interests across the economy. No wonder the late PUDEMO President, Mario Masuku described it as a "feedlot for the king and his inner circle."

Tibiyo controls huge investments in the sugar industry, forestry, mining, beverages, dairy, media, property, financial services and tourism. It is the biggest employer in Swaziland outside the government itself. It holds stakes in some of the biggest companies companies in the country including Royal Eswatini Sugar Corporation, Ubombo Sugar, Coca Cola Swaziland, Maloma Colliery, Nedbank Eswatini, Lactis Swaziland (formerly Parmalat) and many others.

It also owns shopping malls, hotels and media houses such as the Swazi Observer. It is easily one of the most powerful business institutions in the country. And every Swazi family contributed a cow to its initial funding.

So if Tibiyo belongs to the nation, why doesnt the nation control it? Why are its finances not subject to full public scrutiny? Why doesn't it at least report to parliament nor pay tax like other businesses? But perhaps mist importantly, why has it failed to intervene meaningfully in the social challenges that are facing the nation?

The country is currently faced with high levels of poverty, unemployment, a crumbling public health sector and lack of scholarships. More than 70% of the population are struggling daily just to survive yet a conglomerate that was built from their contributions does not seem to be interested in alleviating their suffering.

Instead, it has been turned into a feedlot for the politically connected and the royal elite at the exclusion of the majority.

We need to start demanding what is rightfully ours. Tibiyo must return to its original purpose of serving the nation not a small privileged circle around the king. It must become transparent, accountable and subject to public oversight. And like every major institution, it must pay tax and contribute to national development.




Action for Southern Africa - ACTSA



11/05/2026

"Hide nothing from the masses of our people. Tell no lies. Expose lies whenever they are told. Mask no difficulties, mistakes, failures. Claim no easy victories" - Amilcar Cabral






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