MBABANE:Zweli Martin Dlamini, the editor of this Swaziland News says he doesn’t have any pressure yet to return home as doing so will reduce the quality of the news considering the fact that, journalists are not allowed to report freely in eSwatini.
Dlamini was advised by Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo to consider returning home but the editor, said “there are life changing global opportunities that were opened by the political persecution hence returning home is not part of his plans”.
Furthermore, the editor said “he has an electronic system that enables him to watch LIVE what is happening at LaMgabhi and feel at home”.
The said, it’s not a good feeling to live under threat but he always remember what his grandfather said when he was only nine(9) years old where he was ordered to negotiate the most feared ox that was among other bulls in the kraal.
“My grandfather ordered me kutsi ngibophele inkabi lebeyihlabana kakhulu and he was shouting at me saying; “utsi utawuba yindvodza yakusasa wena wesaba inkhomo?. Ngagcina ngiyibophele lenkabi kwalinywa and my grandfather cheered at me saying; “nokoke kuba yindvodza!”. So nanyalo noma lenkabi lengu-Hulumende we-Tinkhundla ihlabana ibulalana, idzinga kweneswa kahle iboshelwe ingene ejokweni. Alpheous Nxumalo must play his role as the Government Spokesperson and I will play my role as well as the voice of the people. Sometimes we will clash but I strongly believe that all of us have one common interest, we love our country and we want the best and better life for all,” said editor.
Dlamini said, the political persecution comes with life and death threats for him but, he was trained at a very young age not to give-up but achieve results even in the midst of a threat. He then warned State controlled journalists who always try to push a negative political narrative against the Swaziland News that, this publication has long passed the stage where you can just discredit it.
The editor said he had a very warm conversation with the Government Spokesperson on Wednesday morning when he informed him that, his contract might be renewed by the Civil Service Commission(CSC) but he doesn’t expect Nxumalo to be nice to him when doing his job as a Government Spokesperson because his position suggests that, he must defend Government.
Editor Zweli Martin Dlamini.