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| Title: | The Dominance of the Swazi Monarchy and the Moral Dynamics of Democratisation of the Swazi State |
| Author: | Mzizi, Joshua Bheki |
| Year: | 2004 |
| Periodical: | Journal of African Elections |
| Volume: | 3 |
| Issue: | 1 |
| Pages: | 94-119 |
| Language: | English |
| Geographic term: | Swaziland - Eswatini |
| Subjects: | monarchy democratization Politics and Government Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) |
| Abstract: | The struggle for independence in Swaziland contended with two important dynamics: the emerging new ideology of party politics in Africa largely patterned after the Westminster model of parliamentary democracy, and the ideology of traditionalism that centred all contestation of political power on the monarchy. Over the years, the dominant philosophical framework in Swaziland has ordained that all constitutional initiatives should take due regard of the history, culture, traditions and way of life of the Swazi people. While the need to harmonize traditional sensibilities with modern principles of constitutional and international law is underscored, there is no political will to forge such harmony. In the light of the historical processes that have taken place since the 1960s, it can be argued that the ideology of traditionalism is under threat. Kingship as an institution is also threatened as calls for genuine democratization of the Swazi State are made both from within, by organizations such as Pudemo, the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions and the Swaziland Coalition of Concerned Civic Organizations, and without. Unless adjustments are made to both the traditional and the modern political structures, Swaziland will continue to be a security risk in the southern Africa region. It is imperative, therefore, to shift tradition from being an ideology of domination to one of a shared value system in a transitory State guided by the realities of a modern democratic society. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract, edited] |
