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Background to the Ongoing Political Unrest in Eswatini

25 October 2021 | Story Prof Motlatsi Thabane

Opinion article by Prof Motlatsi Thabane, Research Fellow, Centre for Gender and Africa Studies, University of the Free State

Eswatini (Swaziland) gained independence from Britain in September 1968. Under colonial rule, it was part of a triad of South African High Commission Territories with Botswana and Lesotho. The British started arrangements for granting independence to the three territories at around the same time, but Eswatini received its independence two years after the other two, which received their independence within the same week – Botswana on 30 September 1966, and Lesotho four days later on 4 October 1966.

Transition from colonial rule to independence
An important part of the explanation for the delay in Eswatini’s gaining of independence was that there was no agreement between the British government and Paramount Chief (as he was styled under colonial rule) Sobhuza II on the one hand, or regarding a political system by which Eswatini would be ruled after gaining independence, on the other hand.

Under colonial rule, the institution of chieftainship in Lesotho had been greatly weakened by alcoholism among the senior chieftainship in particular, and chiefs had become deeply unpopular as a result of collaborating with colonial rulers in the oppression and exploitation of society. In Botswana, chiefs remained powerful and allowed for modernisation of the institution, including educating chiefs and the general population. Eswatini was different. From the beginning, the chieftainship remained strong, popular, deeply conservative, and the king succeeded in incorporating Swazi culture and traditional power structures, both of which he dominated, into the colonial system.

As they left the High Commission Territories, the British wanted to leave – as they managed to do for Lesotho – independent Eswatini as a constitutional monarchy where power would be exercised by elected representatives of the people. In this, the British were supported by Eswatini’s small middle-class politicians and Eswatini’s small working class. For his part, driven by a seemingly sincerely-held totalitarian and paternalistic vision in which everything had to be done according to Swazi culture that put all power – ritual, political, spiritual, economic – in his hands in the negotiations, Sobhuza II wanted, and held out for a post-colonial political dispensation in which all power rested with him.

The fact that the British were opposed to this, caused a delay in Eswatini’s independence. What is important for modern Eswatini is that the king succeeded. An important concession he was forced to make was a constitutional provision allowing for multi-party democracy, and the right of the people to elect men and women of their choice to represent them in the country’s legislature. However, he countered and undermined even this constitutional provision by establishing his own political party to contest pre-independence elections.

A political theoretical examination of documents explaining the political system that King Sobhuza II wanted, would reveal a much more dangerous authoritarian rule than was, in fact established.

From King Sobhuza II to King Mswati III
In 1973, after independence, the monarch even removed the multi-party concession, suspended the Constitution, and issued a decree that gave him all the power in Eswatini society. This is the dispensation that King Mswati III inherited when he ascended the throne in 1986, following the death of his father in 1982. There must have been hope that the young king would liberalise politics and life in Eswatini. But these hopes have been dashed, because although there have been changes in the country’s constitutional arrangement since Sobhuza II’s death, it was largely cosmetic, and intended to make absolute monarchical rule less unappealing to the eye and ear – with phrases such as ‘monarchical democracy’ – and otherwise intended to entrench the king’s power even further.

From what King Sobhuza II left when he died in 1982, and throughout King Mswati III’s 35-year rule, the royal family have amassed enormous amounts of wealth. Means of amassing this wealth included what can best be described as the payment of tributes in the form of company shares, charged to companies that invest in Eswatini. In other countries, wealth such as this accrues to state coffers. The Eswatini state has established a fairly well-kept registration database for citizens and residents, which enhances tax collection.

Together with Lesotho and South Africa, Eswatini is counted among the top-ten most unequal societies in the world. Wealth distribution is heavily skewed in favour of a limited few among the traditional and modern elites. Poverty in the rural areas is estimated at 70%, and extreme poverty is estimated at 25%.

Politically, with the exception of a limited few among the ruling group, all social groups chafe under a most pervasive oppression. This oppression has been challenged, led by various organisations, particularly during King Mswati III’s reign. The state has reacted to all of these with unrestrained brutality not only intended to punish specific individuals and organisations, but also to secure the seemingly near-total acquiescence in much of society.

Explaining the current political unrest
According to sources, origins of the current unrest lie in the kingdom’s financial crisis, which has meant, for example, that the government is unable to pay public sector wages. Politically, the unrest is a result of the oppression described above. It is not spontaneous but has been building up over the years.

Where the current unrest will lead to, is unclear. Popular demands in the current protests vary and have oscillated between the establishment of a constitutional monarchy at the most moderate, and the stepping down of the king at the most radical. As always, it is possible that for some, the payment of wages would be considered adequate and sufficient response by the king; if this is done, such groups would be happy to have things continue as they have done before the uprising.

Possibilities exist for division within groups that want moderate change. The king’s hold on power is so all-encompassing and pervasive that he has at his disposal a choice of many meaningless concessions that he can make, which some moderates might consider enough to cease their participation in the protest. For those seeking more radical change, the abdication of the king’s is unlikely; groups seeking change along those lines might differ in their methods of achieving the goal, and in the length of time they are prepared to hold out for such a reform. The longer these demands go unfulfilled, the more likely damaging divisions may appear in this group.

Exit routes to current unrest?
As a 19th century revolutionary put it many years ago, the chances for change happening in societies such as Eswatini increase tremendously when beneficiaries of the existing socio-economic system themselves begin to question such a system. That is to say, when such beneficiaries realise that the distribution of power and wealth benefiting them need to change in order for them to survive as a privileged grouping. It is a difficult proposition with serious implications, and one which cannot be avoided when its time has come.

There are a few signs of this in Eswatini that cannot be dismissed on the grounds of quantity. However, the political system remains intact, with reporting on the uprising beginning to be dominated by statements claiming that the army has restored order.

We have to hope that the people of Eswatini will achieve change and the future they want, which they have been crying for over many years. Army and police brutality must stop. The www (internet) in the 21st century is a basic human right and must be restored.

Solidarity and condolences
The world, AU, SADC, SACU member states, and all of us must stand in solidarity with the people of Eswatini. Our condolences, thoughts, and prayers go to wives, husbands, children, friends, and relatives of those killed in this brutality.

This article was written after the anti-monarchy demonstration in June and July 2021 which saw estimated nearly 69 losing their lives. Now unrest has flared-up spearheaded by students, civil servants and transport workers.

News Archive

Financial and registration information for UFS students (including international students)

2017-02-22

Update: 7 February 2017

The management of the University of the Free State (UFS)
is aware of a misleading post on social media this
past weekend.

The correct facts are:

1) In December 2016, the UFS received information of a
total allocation of R189 239 000 from the National Student
Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for 2017.

2) NSFAS provisionally funded 453 first-time entering
students in January 2017.

3) During 2016, 3 868 students received NSFAS funding.
Should these students qualify according to the academic
requirements of NSFAS, they will qualify to receive the
same funding again in 2017. In the meantime, due to the
current backlog at NSFAS, the UFS assisted 2 573 of
these students who qualify for funding academically.
This will enable the students to register for 2017 while
waiting for NSFAS to make the necessary allocations.
Information as on 6 February 2017 indicated that 2 330
of these students already made use of the opportunity
and have registered for 2017.

4) On 6 February 2017, the UFS received communication
from NSFAS regarding an additional amount of
R66 513 252 which is available for first-time
entering students. Approximately 875 students
will benefit from this allocation. Financial Aid will soon
finalise this process and successful students will be
notified of the allocations.

5) The UFS is in the process of resolving the
classification of the quintile schools so that more
students could be assisted.

The above-mentioned is not final and will change
on a daily basis.

There is an understandable and shared concern among students of the University of the Free State (UFS) around the cost of higher education. This has been a topic of discussion not only on national level, but it has also been a priority for the university’s senior leadership in discussions with student leaders.

The following are ways in which students receive assistance to register for the 2017 academic year:

1. Students receiving assistance from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)

1.1   Senior students

1.   Senior students who received NSFAS assistance in 2016.
a.   This group of students will receive a NSFAS allocation in 2017, subject to the following terms and conditions:
i.   If they satisfied the 50% module pass requirement for the 2016 academic year.
ii.   If they satisfied the n+2 completion requirement.

b.   Students who conform to these requirements can register as from 31 January 2017.
c.   These students’ placement in residences can also be confirmed.
d.   These students will receive an allocation for books and meals subject to the prioritisation as prescribed by NSFAS.

2.   Senior students who received confirmation of a NSFAS allocation in 2017 with outstanding debt of not more than R20 000.
a.   These students must please visit the Student Finance desk in the different registration venues to make acceptable arrangements for payment of the outstanding monies.
b.   Acceptable arrangements refer to the payment of 50% of these outstanding monies by 30 June 2017 and the remainder by 31 October 2017.
c.   These students will be allowed to continue with their registration after the above process has been complied with.
d.   These students’ placement in residences can also be confirmed.
e.   These students will receive an allocation for books and meals subject to the prioritisation as prescribed by NSFAS.

3.   Senior students who applied for NSFAS assistance in 2017 for the first time or applied previously, but did not meet the qualifying criteria, may only register with the assistance of a NSFAS allocation once confirmed by NSFAS. In the absence thereof, these students may only register after payment of the required prepayments for full registration, or they may register provisionally.

1.2   First-time entering students
The university’s Department of Finance is dealing with this group collectively based on the confirmed financial assistance by NSFAS for the group as a whole.

1.   First-time entering students to whom an allocation have been confirmed by NSFAS will receive an allocation and will be able to continue with their registration. Their placement in residences can also be confirmed. They will receive an allocation for books and meals subject to the prioritisation as prescribed by NSFAS.

2.   First-time entering students who applied at NSFAS before the cut-off dates and matriculated at schools in the quintile 1 to 3 categories will be allowed to register on providing proof of submission of their application. Their placement in residences can also be confirmed. They will receive an allocation for books and meals subject to the prioritisation as prescribed by NSFAS. Confirmation of the students who matriculated at schools in the quintiles 1 to 3 (as per the data collected with the assistance of the university’s ICT Services) will serve as sufficient evidence of the NSFAS allocation still to be made to them.

3.   First-time entering students who can provide proof that the family income is dependent on a grant from the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has also been confirmed to receive a NSFAS allocation. Their placement in residences can also be confirmed. They will receive an allocation for books and meals subject to the prioritisation as prescribed by NSFAS.

4.   Please note that the above process only caters for applicants who applied in time and who are admitted in programmes for 2017.

1.3 NSFAS prescriptions towards the allocation of funds

NSFAS determined a priority order that must be used to distribute the NSFAS allocation. The priority order is as follows:

1.   Tuition fees
2.   Books
3.   Accommodation
4.   Meals
5.   Travel

The amount awarded must be allocated according to the above priority order until it is depleted. It thus means that all tuition fees must first be paid before an allocation may be made for books, accommodation, meals, and travel.

NSFAS also prescribes that no allowance may be paid until the student has signed his or her contract. Due to the backlog with allocations to students by NSFAS, contracts for these allocations are also not made available yet.

The UFS is fully aware of the predicament the above circumstances create for students with regard to the allocations for books and meals. To assist students as a transitional arrangement, the university took it upon itself to advance an amount of R750 for meals to all registered NSFAS recipients. This advancement will be paid by the students’ NSFAS allocation after they have signed the contract. All other payments, as per the priority order, can unfortunately only be made after students signed the NSFAS contracts. Signing of contracts will be done electronically.

The advance for meals has been available since Monday 6 February 2017. Students are reminded that they must be registered before the amount of R750 may be advanced. Students should visit the Financial Aid Offices for enquiries.

Students are requested to support the effort of the UFS by availing themselves to sign contracts as soon as it becomes available.

Students should also note that all universities were informed this week of the backlogs that has developed at NSFAS in the processing of financial aid applications made by first-time entering students and returning students. NSFAS is giving urgent attention to the matter. The UFS is monitoring the progress closely and will communicate with the affected students, if necessary.

2. Senior students with outstanding debt who do not receive NSFAS funding

Students may register provisionally, subject to the following terms and conditions approved by the UFS Council on 2 December 2016.

1.   Students must be South African citizens. (International students may not register provisionally because of the Immigration Act.)
2.   Students must have been previously registered at the UFS.
3.   Students must be enrolled for full-time studies and must attend lectures on one of the three campuses (open-learning students, e-learning students, and students registered with Varsity College do not qualify for provisional registration).
4.   Outstanding balances on an applicant’s tuition fees account for 2016 must be less than R20 000.

The minimum pre-payment to register provisionally in 2017 is:
R1 900 for non-residential students; and
R6 750 for residential students.

3. Department of Higher Education Fees Adjustment Grant for 2017

The Department of Higher Education and Training will pay the fee increase capped at 8% for all qualifying registered students with a gross combined family income of up to R600 000 per annum in 2017. This is a grant and will not have to be repaid by qualifying students. The grant will only cover tuition fees and accommodation provided by universities. Students who are recipients of bursaries and scholarships that cover their full cost of study will have to pay the percentage fee adjustment.

The following students qualify:

1.   Only South African citizens and citizens with permanent South African residence studying towards an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification in 2017.
2.   The applicant and direct family (mother, father, spouse or legal guardians) must have a GROSS combined family income of R600 000 or less per annum before tax deductions.

The following students will not have to apply for the grant as they will automatically be considered:

1.   Applicants who applied for NSFAS funding.
2.   All students who attended quintile 1, 2, and 3 schools in Grade 12.

All other students will have to apply for the fee adjustment grant. The application form is available on www.ufs.ac.za. Incomplete applications will not be considered. More information can be obtained from the Financial Aid Office.

Students who are unsuccessful in their application may appeal within 14 days of the outcome of the decision by completing an appeal form which will also be available on the university's website at http://www.ufs.ac.za/kovsielife/unlisted-pages/bursaries/financial-aid.

The closing date for applications is 15 February 2017.

4. International students

The prepayments for 2017 as approved by the UFS Council on 2 December 2016 are:
1.   Non-resident students: R28 160
2.   Resident students: R43 160

The following concessions were made to assist international students to meet the financial requirements for 2017 as approved by the UFS Council on 2 December 2016:

1.   Students who are unable to pay the full amount must visit Student Finance in registration venues.
2.   All outstanding monies of the previous year must be paid in full.

3.   The prepayment amount for 2017 will be calculated for each student based on the following:
a.   A minimum payment of R12 820 for non-resident students and R22 725 for resident students is payable before registration can be considered.
b.   A quotation will be prepared based on the academic advice for 2017.
c.   A payment agreement for the balance of the pre-payment or the first semester’s fees is signed by the student.
d.   This amount is payable not later than 31 March 2017.
e.   The registration of these students are subject to the on-time payment of the agreed amounts.
The current position of the Department of Home Affairs is that all students who have pending applications should be allowed to register on condition that they produce their study visas by 31 March 2017 (Refer to the Minister’s Dispensation Immigration Directive 26 of 2016).

International students may apply for an emergency travel document at their respective Embassies/Consulates, as this will allow for cross-border travelling and will give the student an opportunity to register on site.

Students should bring or email a copy of their receipts as proof that they have applied for their study visa and a certified copy of their passport (issued by the South African Embassy or Consulate), confirmation of their medical aid (a SA medical aid registered under the SA Medical Schemes Act 131 of 1998). Students will have up until 31 March to submit their study visas to Mrs Niemann at the Office for International Affairs, located in the Mabaleng A Building on the Bloemfontein Campus; email: niemannaja@ufs.ac.za. Failure of which will result in deregistration of students.

Zimbabwe: Because Zimbabwe no longer issues emergency travel documents, students from Zimbabwe must email a certified copy of their passport and receipt (issued by the South African Embassy or Consulate), and confirmation letter of the medical aid to Ms Jeanne Niemann from the Office for International Affairs on the following email address: niemannaja@ufs.ac.za. In doing so, students will be able to register online provided that their finances and their admission requirements are in order.

International students should note that the blanket concession was only for final-year students that could not complete their studies due to exams being written at the beginning of the next academic year. If a student returned home in December 2016, this concession expired and the student had to re-apply for a study visa or apply for a visitor’s visa. The relaxed requirements will apply only to final-year students who were not meant to return and continue studies in 2017.

Please see the following explanation of the Blanket Concession:

CLARIFICATION – BLANKET STUDY VISA EXTENSION TO 31 MARCH 2017

Circular 31 of 2016 has reference.

The International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA) has brought to our attention that there may be some confusion regarding the blanket administrative extension to 31 March 2017 of study visas with an expiry date of or prior to 31 December 2016 granted by the Department of Home Affairs in Immigration Directive No. 25 of 2016.

The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed that the Directive does not serve as a replacement visa for students travelling home in December 2016. This Directive serves as an extension of current visas for students who need to complete their academic programmes in 2017. The DHA has advised that should any final-year students be travelling to their home countries in December 2016, they would need to return in January 2017 with a visitor’s visa.

5. Enquiries

Bloemfontein and South Campuses:

Undergraduate and honours students: +27 51 401 3003 / 2806 / 9090 / 9670 / 2817 / 9669

Postgraduate students (Master’s and Doctoral): +27 51 401 9537

Refunds: +27 51 401 7050

Student cards (meals and books): +27 51 401 2799 / 3337

Collections: +27 51 401 3643 / 3448; Fax: +27 51 401 3579

Email: tuitionfees@ufs.ac.za

Qwaqwa Campus:

Client Services: +27 58 718 5024 / 5119 / 5262

Student cards (meals and books): +27 58 718 5026

Cashiers: 058 718 5028; Fax: +27 58 718 5118

Email: nchapiem@qwa.ufs.ac.za

International Office:

+27 51 401 3219

Released by:
Lacea Loader (Director: Communication and Brand Management)
Telephone: +27 51 401 2584 | +27 83 645 2454
Email: news@ufs.ac.za | loaderl@ufs.ac.za
Fax: +27 51 444 6393

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