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NCA Zimbabwe stands in solidarity with the people of Swaziland
National Constitutional Assembly (NCA)
April 12, 2011

On this day, the 12th of April (the fateful day 12 April 1973 when the Swazi Monarch outlawed the independence constitution and free political activity) for the people of Swaziland the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) Zimbabwe expresses it support and solidarity to the people of Swaziland who are protesting against authoritarian rule of King Mswati II.

Today's protests are historic that the 12th of of 1973 is the year which then ruler King Sobhuza 11 declared a decree that gave supreme power to the king with all legislative, executive , judicial power all vested into the King. The decree also banned political parties, trade unions, students, youth, women organisations and peaceful demonstrations.

As the NCA, we are disturbed by the violent crackdown and arrests of unarmed innocent students, workers and the poor working class of Swaziland by the Mswati regime. We condemn the arrests and detention of the 50 protesters including seven labour leaders.

We call upon King Mswati to stop using violence against civilians and step down immediately as demanded by the people to allow the people of Swaziland to elect a leadership of their choice through a democratic constitution that respects the wishes of the people.

We salute the revolutionary stance taken by the Swazi people and urge them to remain united and intensify the campaign until the dictator is gone.

Remembering Chris Hani

The 10th of April 2011 marked the eighteenth anniversary of the murder of Tembisile Chris Hani on 10 April 1993.

Chris Hani was assassinated on 10 April 1993 outside his home in Dawn Park, a racially-mixed suburb of Boksburg. He was accosted by a Polish far-right immigrant named Janusz Walus, who shot him in the head as he stepped out of his car.

He was born in the rural village of Sabalele, in the Cofimvaba region of the former Transkei. The NCA joins the SACP, the ANC and South Africans in general in remembering and celebrating the life of a fearless revolutionary who fought against imperialism and apartheid.

We remember the role he played in Zimbabwe's liberation struggle when he joined the war acting as a Political Commissar in the Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA). ZIPRA, under the command of Joshua Nkomo, operated out of Zambia.

He was present for three battles during the 'Wankie Campaign' (fought in the Wankie Game Reserve against Rhodesian forces) as part of the Luthuli Detachment of combined ANC and Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU) forces.

In early 1967 Hani narrowly escaped into Botswana, only to be arrested and detained in prison for two years for weapons possession. Hani returned to Zambia at the end of 1968 to continue his work with ZIPRA. His imprisonment left him critical of the failure of the ANC leadership to assist him whilst he was in prison and he demanded a conference of all ANC members in exile.

Chris Hani was murdered, a few days after African National Congress (ANC) leader Nelson Mandela and South African president F. W. de Klerk had reached a broad agreement on the constitutional future of that bitterly divided country.

We remain inspired by the path walked by Chris Hani, the struggle for social justice, his quest for a new democratic constitution that promotes, unity and equal distribution of resources.

Meanwhile.... the NCA also takes this opportunity to remember the life of one of the greatest musicians ever to emerge from this land, the late Leonard Musorowenyoka Dembo, who through his music managed to unite the people of Zimbabwe from all walks of life.

One of his great compositions 'Chitekete,' was named the song of the century and is the only Zimbabwean song ever to be played at the Miss World modelling pageant, it was played in Namibia in 1996.

He remains an inspiration to the emerging generation of musicians who play the Sungura music genre. A great composer and lead guitar player, Leonard Dembo died on the 9th of April 1996.

May his soul rest in eternal peace and may his music continue inspire this great nation.

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