CHR takes part in launch of Swaziland Youth in Action (20 November 2010)
On 20 November 2010, the Centre took part in the launch of a young people's network at Bosco Skills Centre Auditorium in Manzini, Swaziland. Over 1500 young people attended this historic event. The aim of launching the Swaziland Youth in Action (SYA) is to harness the energies of the young people and ensure that they take responsibility for shaping thier future.
The main focus of the gathering was to initiate moves to engage the state to ratify and further domesticate the African Youth Charter, which up to now, Swaziland has not aligned with. The gathering also served as a platform for raising awareness amongst young people on the Swaziland Youth Policy, which although adopted in 2002, was only put into action in 2006. Notable during the event, was the fact that a majority of the young people were hearing about the state policy for the very first time.
The event also showcased the many talents that young people have, and showed that human rights awareness can indeed be brought about by other means than the usual methods. On the day, young talented poets captured the attention of the over 1500 excited young people, as they rendered poetic pieces on the state of human rights in Swaziland. Dance was also used as a vehicle of expression on the day, proving once again that the arts can be used as a platform for expression over and above the normal modes of expression.
During the event, two personnel from the Centre made presentations. First to present was Sibusiso Nhlabatsi (Intern) who made comparisons between the Youth Charter and the Youth Policy. Angelo Dube followed with a presentation on the situational analysis of the key human rights and socio-economic challenges facing the youth of Swaziland today.
Also speaking at the event were Council of Swaziland Churches' Khangezile Dlamini and elder human rights defender, Musa Hlophe. The Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa's Velaphi Mamba also said a few words of motivation to the youth.
The event is historic given the current state aversion to groupings that advocate for fundamental freedoms. The state police were, as usual deployed to the venue. However, they did not disturb proceedings this time around. Quite interestingly, the attendees did not feel intimidated by their presence and even invited them to participate in the discussions.
