The International Labour Research and Information Group (ILRIG) presents a Botsotso Ensemble production, The Struggle for Swazini (a title combining the Mswati given name, Eswatini, and the historically popular name, Swaziland) set in the kingdom.

The play is dedicated to those who lost their lives at the hands of the Royal police during the uprising of July 2021, to the survivors of the repression, and to all those still engaged in the struggle to liberate Swaziland from the oppressive rule of an absolute monarchy. 

A key objective in producing the play is to be able to hold discussion after each broadcast about the issues raised in that episode, and more generally, the political and economic situation holding sway in Swaziland. 

These on-air discussions will typically feature Swazi democracy activists, both amaSwazi and South African, academics versed in the current and past situations in the country and concerned local listeners. Members of the cast will also be available.

South Africa has a sizeable Swazi population, and we should be raising awareness of what is happening in our neighbour, then sharing ideas about how to solve its crisis of poverty and joblessness, as well as lifting the political repression. 

Community and other non-profit radio stations with their commitment (per their founding charters from ICASA and other organs of the state) are ideal vehicles for this program and we look forward to engaging with producers in order to implement it.

CHARACTERS

• Sobhuza Mabuza – father of the house, in early fifties; senior inspector in the Eswatini Royal Police

Seems to be very patriotic, upholds traditional values while quietly acknowledging the monarchy’s corruption; is jealous of his wife’s job which gives her some degree of independence; is in a state of war with his son who stands against his loyalty to the king and his position in the police; doesn’t know how to handle his rebellious daughter.

• Ntombi Mabuza – wife to Sobhuza, mother to Philile and Xolani; late forties; works as a manager at a KFC outlet in Mbabane

Supports her children’s views but is scared to challenge her husband openly; doesn’t want to upset him, so looks to bring peace to the family; will weigh up both sides of the argument

Is very fond of Eddie (her white admirer) but is unsure about getting involved with him

1. Xolani – older son; early thirties; works on a royal farm 

In a state of permanent opposition to the monarchy and by extension, to his father; fired for being a member of an underground trade union; flees Swaziland after the uprising because of the threat of arrest; crosses to South Africa to organise resistance to Mswati’s rule back home

1. Philile Mabuza – teenager; seventeen years, in high school, grade 12 

Curious about everything; becomes a student leader of the anti-royalty movement; stands up to her father while being close to her mother; very admiring of her brother but also resents him being a bit dismissive of her

• Mr Malambe – a neighbour; teacher of mathematics at Philile’s school while being a political activist

Member of a banned political party, is working underground; as a veteran is involved with the political education of young people; is a mentor to both Xolani and Philile

• Eddie – an ex-South African, veteran activist, in his early Sixties; owns a small hardware shop in Mbabane; in the Siswati version he is a black, in the English, white 

Politically radical, sympathetic to change and willing to take risks, he was involved in the anti-apartheid struggle but became very disillusioned with the ANC and left SA; living alone in Mbabane, he frequents the KFC where Ntombi works; is very taken by her sympathetic approach to his loneliness and starts to court her

• Mavis – waitress at KFC
• Colonel Viljoen – SAPS officer with ties to Military Intelligence; reactionary and racist though happy to ally with conservative, tribal black leaders

                                    CASTS (siSwati and English versions)

Siswati (in order of appearance)

• Sobhuza – Xolani Dlamini
• Philile (and Mavis) – Caroline Ngobane
• Ntombi– Octavia Mgwenya
• Mavis – Caroline Ngomane
• Xolani – Andile Magagula
• Malambe – Mfundo Mavimbela
• Eddie – Kenani Shungube
• Viljoen – Allan Kolski Horwitz 

English (in order of appearance)

• Sobhuza – Xolani Dlamini
• Philile – Caroline Ngobane
• Ntombi – Octavia Mgwenya
• Xolani – Kenani Shungube
• Malambe – Mfundo Mavimbela
• Eddie – Allan Kolski Horwitz
• Viljoen – Allan Kolski Horwitz
• Mavis – Caroline Ngoman

EPISODE 1

The Mabuza family live in Msunduza, township outside Mbabane. 

The first episode (which has four sub-scenes) opens with Inspector Sobhuza sneaking into his daughter Philile’s bedroom and searching her school bag. In it he finds a banned book about PUDEMO, the proscribed political party that advocates the abolition of the absolute monarchy and the establishment of a democratic Swaziland. 

Philile stands her ground when he attacks her for subversive behaviour and explains that the book was given to her by a teacher, Mr Malambe, who wants to educate the youth about the problems the country is facing. While Sobhuza and Philile are arguing, his wife, Ntombi, arrives home and is thrust into the argument. Soon afterwards, Xolani the older son arrives. He has been working at one of King Mswati’s farms but has been fired for organising a trade union. However, he has good news:  his co-workers are supporting his struggle for reinstatement, and he believes they can succeed. He then tells them that he has invited Mr Malambe, his ex-teacher, who is now their neighbour to lunch. Mr Malambe joins them, and a discussion ensues during which we learn more about the family dynamics and the generally tense atmosphere in Swaziland because of the monarchy’s tight control.

EPISODE 2

Scene 1:   KFC in Mbabane

Eddie visits the store; first speak to Mavis, a waitress; tells her he has heard that students are thinking of taking action to demand that the police responsible for the death of the University of Swaziland law student Thabani Nkomonye, be brought to trial. They talk about Swayoco (Swaziland Youth Congress) and the history of the 1996 uprising in support of elections for a parliament – viz free elections.

Scene 2: Student meeting at Kaschule High in Msunduza township outside Mbabane 

Philile and Malambe give speeches to the school kids encouraging them to march to the local police station;

Scene 3:   In the street, marching / police arrive

STUDENTS SET OFF – STRUGGLE SONGS; A RE JOINED BY OTHERS

4 voices: Philile + Malambe;  another girl; 1 boy

Sobhuza (Police) orders them to disperse; they refuse

Sound of gunshots  

Scene 4:  Philile escapes the shooting– runs to the KFC; tells Ntombi what has happened; Eddie offers to hide her

Phone call from Xolani: he too is on the run; thinking of escaping to SA

Scene 5:   Eddie and Philile at his house: discussion about Sobhuza

Scene 6:  Ntombi goes home; confronts Sobhuza

EPISODE 3

Scene 1:  Malambe brings Philile to Ntombi’s KFC; tells Ntombi about Philile being shot and 

Xolani having to leave Swaziland or face arrest; Eddie offers Philile shelter which she accepts.

Scene 2:  Ntombi and Sobhuza: confrontation about the shooting

Scene 3:  En route to the Swazi-SA border, Malambe and Xolani discuss the future in the car with Eddie.

EPISODE 4

Scene 1:  Philile, Eddie and Ntombi at KFC

Scene 2:  Viljoen and Sobhuza – phone call about infiltrating the democratic opposition’s   networks in South Africa and handing over a ctivists to the Swazi authorities and or eliminating them on the South African side.

Scene 3:  Malambe and Xolani – phone call about underground organization

Scene 4:  Philile / Sobhuza and Ntombi – at home; Sobhuza informs them of his dismissal from the police force. While Ntombi and Philile are digesting this unexpected news, Xolani phones from Soweto to tell them he is safe but still involved in the struggle. He welcomes Sobhuza’s new freedom from royal control and the family finally achieve a sense of unity.