MBABANE: Gospel artist Mzwakhe Myeni has ordered the Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services(EBIS) to stop playing all his music as well after the State owned radio banned Mduduzi Nezinceku Zamagawugawu and Ncandweni Christ Ambassadors.
The two gospel groups were banned from the State owned radio station after their leaders, being Members of Parliament Timothy Myeni and Mduduzi Simelane became vocal in Parliament calling for democracy reforms.
Speaking to this Swaziland News shortly after performing in an online Gospel Show hosted by this publication in collaboration with Ezomoya Communications, the well-known gospel artist said he took the decision after learning about the two MPs whose music was banned because of their political beliefs.
He said he would allow the radio station to play his music again once the country achieved democracy because by that time it would be a radio station for the people.
“They banned Mduduzi Nezinceku Zamagawugawu and Ncandweni Christ Ambassadors, phela nawuvala i-Ncandweni kusho kutsi uvala mine ngoba ngimi lohlabela kule-Ncandweni. I took this decision to ban them from playing my music and will lobby other local as well as international artists through our association of artists in the Southern African region to ban them from playing music by bo-Celine Dion. This means only songs by Umhlanga maidens and other regiments will be played in that radio station.However, once we achieve democracy, I will allow the State owned radio to play my music again because by that time it would be owned by the people”, he said.
Myeni said through technology, there were other alternative platforms where their music could be played, he described the ban on Mduduzi Nezinceku Zamagawugawu and Ncandweni Christ Ambassadors as political bullying and maintained that he would report this to their international organization that authorized radio stations to play music of artists in Southern African region.
On Saturday, the Times of Eswatini reported that the gospel groups whose leaders are calling for democratic reforms were banned.
MP Magawugawu Simelane is facing political persecution after leading calls for democracy reforms in Parliament together with arrested MPs Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube.
Efforts to reach Princess Sikhanyiso, the Information Minister proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.
Eswatini, a tiny Kingdom situated in Southern Africa is facing growing calls for democratic reforms and the United Nations has promised to take action after receiving a petition from the Political Parties Assembly(PPA).
Mzwakhe Myeni.