By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:Meshack Kati Masuku, the former President of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers(SNAT) has died.

Masuku was among the political leaders and trade unionists who led the historic 1996-1997 strike action that shook the foundations of the Tinkhundla system of governance.

It was in the midst of that Khukhulelangoco strike action that saw King Mswati threatening to unleash his emabutfo to defend his Throne.

The King was angered by sentiments of the trade unionist and political leaders who told him to go on leave.

“I have been told to come and say Goodbye to you, Mswati cannot do that and if it calls for us to use other means, we will do that,” said the King when dispersing his regiments(emabutfo) at Engabezweni in January 1997.

Due to Masuku’s vibrancy and the impact he made as SNAT President when demanding a salary increment for teachers, members of King Mswati regiments(emajaha) composed a song titled “Ye-Kati Masu…ku waze wakhalela intwe-ncane kwaze kwabhubha umhlaba”.

The song was sang by emajaha when doing kukosha(traditional dance)at Mfabantfu royal field in January 1998 after the KhukhulelaNgoco strike action

Efforts to reach Masuku’s family proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.

Reached for comments,former SNAT President Sibongile Mazibuko confirmed the death of Meshack Kati Masuku.

“It’s true that Kati Masuku is no more,I was working with him as SNAT National Treasurer when he was SNAT President.He was also the NNLC Deputy President when Obed Dlamini was the President,he groomed me to be what I am,” said the NNLC President.