–‘’ ‡—Žƒ–‹‰ „ƒ† ‡šƒ’Ž‡•

Sir,

If this is what modern society is all about, then I am scared. What is happening in other countries, particularly with young democracies, is disheartening. And my only hope is that emaSwati don’t emulate it. In this context, let’s remain true to who we are as a nation - lovers of peace whose only way of resolving disputes is dialogue and resorting to lawful means of dispensing justice. I am not saying it is wrong for dissenting voices to vent, but the way the dissent is registered. I mean, what happened to dialogue?

With some nations, there is now a culture of thuggery and hooliganism of untold proportions, resorting to the use of force where justice would do. And what feeds this mentality, I submit, is the fact that their governments seem to listen or understand this language by giving in to the demands of protestors. Problem is that, such culture would be inculcated to future generations.

Appreciating

Looking at our situation in this country, I started appreciating most emaSwati for their candour and peace loving nature. They do not seem to be willing to trade or sacrifice their peace for anything. And apart from that they would dialogue even where it appeared hopeless to dialogue. And that is a good trait of this nation that one has to commend. While it is to be accepted that this approach does not always get the desired results, it remains the logical one; as nobody dies under the circumstances and no property is destroyed. Living in a country where protests and strikes are a way of life can be scary – I cannot even begin to fathom how you go to sleep at night under these circumstances.

The lawlessness that you see in some protests is just out of this world. The problem with this sort of behaviour is that it breeds violence. EmaSwati must remain true to their culture as a peace loving nation and avoid emulating bad examples; that is, if we want to have lasting peace in our land.

Justice