Street Debate: Eswatini’s youth has had enough of its king 

Interesting. Drive him out. Useless monarch.

I always feel like those who support this Monarchy benefit from the sysyem. The mediator of this debate though is suppose to give the guy who supports the monarchy a fair chance and not be bias. She gives every other person a chance to talk fully while the other guy doesn't. Remember to put your feelings behind and listen to all different views!

Love your street debates. You guys have pioneered something special!

Remember when that princess tried to be a rapper 😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣

Gcina you are a shame......

QUESTION:S: Who does the king answer to? What influence is over the country? Kudos to the youth for taking part in productive political change for their lives and future generations.❤️🙏🏽✌️

Part ll plz this has been very educational

No one can say the people of Eswatini don't know what they want, this debate has made it very clear.

Thank for such debates, this brings all the people in one units

The fate of a nation shouldn’t rest at the feet of one man. That’s insane.

I am watching this from Kenya. Like in my country, a few western-funded NGOs want to make it appear that Eswatini is on fire. This is a common strategy used by NGOs to line their pockets. This is about NGO greed not the freedom of the Swazi people. Long live Eswatini. Long live Africa.

I love you Tibusiso,,,,A very good point,,,we can't blame our MPS because they are forced to support the monarch

A man who is married to more than 12 wives, still getting married to others @ age 60 & having countless children who are all on the country 's payroll is as clear as a sunny day what type of a person some1 really is & even a nursery school kid can tell you what that means

Christine, you are really good at this! Thank you so much for such an informative debate. Gcina says the King is not an absolute monarchy because he works with council, but he conveniently forgets that the King also appoints his own council, and the council cannot go against him. It's a farce!

Highly informative

Being a King doesn't always mean that your smarter/intelligent and have special abilities, no matter how educated you may be, sometimes it just means your an heir to the throne and that's where it ends. We need to start electing and selecting according to to merit's and wisdom.

Thank you so much for getting diverse views that actually represent all of us as Swazis..... "I am first and foremost a Swazi before I am Princess "....that's my mantra. As a nation we can fix this if the King (yes I am related) simply allows us to ...respects our wishes as Swazis and works with us to find a win-win solution for all. Believe it or not ....we all love our country. 🇸🇿🇸🇿🇸🇿

Mr Makhubu,,,, I love you baba ,, good points

Mswati must fall . We standing with y'all Emaswati

Guys, just fight to be reincoroperated back into South Africa. Lesotho must do likewise and later Botswana. Lot of love from South Africa

Well done Gcina you spoke well and execised democratic freedom. Jailed people in the country are not Jailed from thin air however its through their actions...... However in regards to the formation of the panel, it seem as if though those people were not selected Fairly due to the minority to represent both perspective. It seems hosts of such debates are not chairing but rather pick a side... @Christine, it would be nice if you treated Gcina with a similar approach to express himself and his points before you flood him with argumentative questions....

Great journalism and discussion! 🇺🇸

Great discussion I would like to see the King fix the country problems and also hold on to our culture

Monarchy works see example of morrocco. You just need to call for reforms. You people you don't understand what a republic is, so disastrous we as Ugandans we are suffering with people who came from nowhere, they had totally nothing, now they are stepping on our heads they have eaten up everything like grasshopper, killed people etc etc for us we are calling back our monarch BUGANDA because it was performing for its people. People had ownership over land.

Mr. Gcina here is talking a lot of less sense if not absolute nonsense... We live in this current Eswatini our country and all these things the other panelists are just narrating perfectly true. It wouldn't help nor benefit anyone to try and seek filthy nonsense recognition from the monarchy system yet Him and His family and children are suffering.

The Sovereignty (comprising the subtotal of Judicial, Executive & Legislative Powers) in Eswatini, is of the type Monarchical Sovereignty quite opposite to Popular Sovereignty. A lot is embedded in this characterization it is not as simplistic as it may seem. As such much if not all the political, constitutional and legal questions arising concerning our country, should not be addressed in any manner different from the established philosophical concepts. As such, it is unfair and/or incorrect to evaluate or criticize Eswatini’s political system following the narrative, that there is only one form of Sovereignty that is correct, viz. Popular Sovereignty. The fact of the preeminent existence of Monarchical Sovereign Nation- States, which the Eswatini Nation Kingdom is, even though in minority or even being the only country to remain existing in rulership on this basis, in the 21st Century. It shouldn’t be a crime to have managed as a Nation to have survived, native wars (Umfecane), Imperialistic Colonialism and apartheid to name a few. The Monarchical Sovereignty of Eswatini predates the Colonial invasion era by the West and most certainly the illegitimate, imperialistic and colonially imposed 1968 Westminster ‘Constitution’. As well as it also predates the master stroke, Pan-Africanist decolonization 1973 Royal Decree by King Sobhuza II In-Council. At all material times, the EMaswati nation have been an Absolute Monarch as explained above. This is was so even with most nations of Europe, much of the rest of the world prior to the beginning of the 18th century, except for present day North America, whose political trajectory, not as a nation but a Confederation of States brought about the political and constitutionalism concept of Popular Sovereignty in the their Declaration of Independance of the 1700s. From the beginning of the 18th century, the philosophical concept of Sovereignty was canvassed namely by European and North American philosophers along the two divisions stated above. This resulted in two categories explaining the source of each type of Sovereign Power & Authority. And these were Constituted and Constituent Sovereign Power & Authority. In the case of the former, the source of Sovereign Authority is an individual, the hereditary ruler ( as in Eswatini) and in the latter, the source are the citizens collectively acting through elected representatives that go to parliament, as in the case with almost all Republics and with those Monarchies that became Constitutional Monarchs, quite apart and distinct from Eswatini, which is a Monarchical Constitutionalism, practicing a culturally based political system and Ideology falling under the rubric, Monarchical Democracy, called Tinkhundla System. This is a classical case of a Monarchical political system (Abosolutism) constitutionally embracing principles of Popular Sovereignty (Parliament established through General Elections, within a Rule of Law [Separation of Powers] setting and a fully justiciable and entrenched Bill of Rights and Democratic practices and institutions. The country practices the Parliamentary system of Parliamentary Democracy at its best along individual merit based on geographic association boundaries, called Tinkhundla. Indeed in the face of all that has been said, the Tinkhundla political system is only a system of government that is supposed to be run and managed by the elected political representatives on 3 levels from grass-root level of chiefdom through to Inkhundla constituency and finally Parliament. Since each Inkhundla constituency is made up of several chiefdoms, and the chiefdoms themselves being made up of several families, which is the lowest level. What, in my political opinion caused the Civil Unrest, is indeed the frustration of the masses, NOT with the Monarch (King), but largely with the glaring operational failure of our elected representatives (Constituency Governors called Indvuna yeNkhundla, sub-constituency headman, called Bucopho and Members of Parliament) in being our political agents to government and as a result of the absence of the representatives being held accountable at constituency level, through never holding the constitutionally required gras-root level Dialogue forum of Tinkhundla constituency meetings (called Bucopho), which is the unique Eswatini Tinkhundla system sub-tier Parliament Decentralization at constituency level, that no other country in the present day is able to rival or beat. As well as also the generally apathy or carelessness of us the voting EMaswati in exercising proper diligence, when voting for our representatives. We have generally been a voter base that, freely gives away its vote for a cheap morsel of bread or blankets in the place of nationalism, integrity, soundness & morality. The Monarch is not the government, instead the Sovereign freely delegated (but not abdicated) the Exercise of some of its Sovereign Powers (Judicial, Legislative & Executive) to us the masses (the electorate and voting citizens) in allowing us to influence how we want to be governed, through voting and electing the over two thirds majority of Parliament (the Legislature). Alongside and concurrent with the Sovereign’s exclusive and sole prerogative to rule as the Sovereign/Majestas embodiment of the Nation-State Eswatini. The distinction must always be understood between the domicile or Source of Sovereign Authority & Power viz-a-viz the Exercise thereof, especially when analyzing any Monarchical regime, as Absolute or not, since the answer may vary, when examining it from a narrow and technical perspective and when viewed from a broad sense of the concept. Besides no political system is perfect and Democracy, is not an end in itself but rather a means to an end. Eswatini by any modern day standard is a Monarchical Democracy as quite ingeniously and aptly declared and describe by its most recent ardent contributing architect together with the Nation,,, being His Majesty King Mswati 111. Bayethe! Wena Waphakathi!!

The monarchy works I England. Y not let it work in eswatini. Also alot of these people want political fame n fortune. Leave the king alone

What does the majority of the population want?

So many reforms are need in this country partial democracy may yeild good results at least some extent village level local democracy is needed for better upgrading life standards

All negativity you say about your king may be true but I believe Mswati is a true absolute monarchy that he exist because of the touch of his beautiful people. Remember to be loyal to your king. African states are suffering from political instability due to multipartism hence division of tribes which escalates tribalism and political self interest in the government. Is this what you want? I am from Kenya and I have seen a lot. please my swazi youth be calm and be smart. Long live your King.

The current government and the king has failed us as the youth, We need change.

Why our MPs in prison and exile if they is democracy in Swaziland?

As a South African, I don't see the king abdicating his absolute power like that, as the youth wishes. It will come at a cost of many lives, but Eswatini has a small population and thus can't afford to loose many lives. Maybe what's needed is a dialogue, not of doing away with the monarch but reforms that are accepted from both sides. I think the tradition of practicing polygamy with so many wives by the king has exarcabated the situation, now that there are many children out of that practice, as it said they live lavishly and flaunt their wealth at an audience that is really struggling. What about the government or the monarchy out of their budget, allocate each wife and graduated princes and princesses, to have their personal regions or cities or towns or rural areas to perform charity work, look after the orphans homes, homeless (if any) and their rehabilitation, skills development centers upliftment, small business funding awareness projects, sports and recreation support, nutrition at schools, etc. They should supplement the work of ministers but concentrated more on the poor and vulnerable societies as well as the youth as said above ( sports, skills development and funding for SMMEs, etc).

The streets are clean in this "absolute monarch" but aren't clean in a "democratic" country like the streets of johannesburg There are no shacks in this "absolute monarch" but there are shacks everywhere in a "democratic" city like cape town The crime is very low in this "absolute monarch" but very high in a "democratic" city like Durban

Well articulated Bheki.Youvreal understand the situation in our country. Let us face the real situation bakaNgwane. There no leadership in our legislation.I pity our youth who are uninformed.

This for the first time is informing for the whole world to digest..the guy with glasses 👓 is protecting the monarchy..there's always one

One tribe with their own country it is realy Lucky country But if the king understand.

Just realized that the guy in a military shirt is a Dlamini, I heard about that clan, they are psychophants.

Why can't they switch to a democracy and let the King be a cultural figure? We have a king in western Zambia where I'm from but the country is a democracy.

Amandla

Rdf money has eyes its not given to anyone

Gcina is speaking in the place of privilege,what is he talking about amabandla that is still his people. How can they go against him when he is the one who employed them. Gcina shouldn't think that we are stupid. He was over his head with this other intervieews and the interviewer. He didn't say anything to anyone he should just sit down and continue being fed by the same regime that killed us.

For me Bheki said it well, its not the king I want out, but the way he does things

From my knowledge, I only know the king to have over twenty wives and does nothing else.

High employment rate is worldwide not only in Eswatini. Please bear with the Eswatini government just to save lives.🙏🙏🙏

People are in dire need of education house health and minimum wage livelihood for their living rulers focus on this issue instead if enjoying with their families in rich manner

Why did you defy to stop petions. It means even your own father you do not respect.

Would you make this kind of talk show in North Korea?

This is the 21st century really, this Mswati needs to be reminded of that. He cannot be owning mines while the masses are languishing in poverty

Eswatini needs democracy

I don't think democracy driven by angry youth will work.. the King must go back to his people provide a space where young people are allowed to work …live their full potential. Yo know this country can lead by example that a Monarch led by Black people can be functional

What type of change do you want Young people? You should be very careful about changing or change because the last time we checked Change in Libya and congo have destroyed those countries

Whatever happens, we need some form of change. Swaziland can nolonger be the same, we are tired.

The king must to resign

Gcina Dlamini, silima... Who appoints the council you fool?

There is nothing wrong with monarchy. The only problem is incompetence.

It seems that power is the same as the same as what Dr Thomas Sowell

Mwsati akavule emaphathi avalwe Nguye .Nguye inkhosi hhayi sobhuza

This "king" is a villain and a thief. He has amassed millions which should have gone to the people. Who needs 23 Rolls and 125 BMWs? This so called king is not a patch as good as his king, Sabuza 11

As a Zimbabwean I can relate to what the swatis are going through. We both have selfish people ruling our country and can fight together to rid our nations of these selfish people

Eswatini needs a president and a prime minister elected by the people of Eswatini

Gcina Dlamini is one of the few people who are benefitting from this Government of the Royal kraal , and he needs to stop carrying corrugated iron on a windy day

Guy with sunglasses is so funny,we can tell where he's getting his bread from! Good luck to simple plain people and hope they get the Democracy they wish for! Kick your King out, give him and his family $50 each to survive for a day or two!

As an American, it's wild learning about African politics, ya'll are wild. I pray for the best outcome for your people.

Good. Mswati is a waste of time. He and his entire family are ridiculous

Mswati must fall we are tired

mswati must be out of power.

It is dangerous to let immature thinking without any experience dectate the direction of the country. What do those so called young people know about governance?

True we don't want the king 👑

The king must go

We have whites but also black do that

Leave that contry alone ,it whould be better for the people

The host can't help but show forth her own bias. If you think that not correct, check again. The only person she pushes back with and asks questions is the one talking good about the monarchy. What is worse are the figures she throws around as fact that are not, the statements she makes matter of factly that no one corrects. The colonialists did a great job here in Africa. Every time there is talk if change its Africans adopting western culture. The Americans are still holding on to a 400 year old constitution yet demanding all Africans change theirs. You are smart and current if you agree with Western Democracy norms. Even now as Australians are living under a heavy yoke, most countries in Europe making unvaccinates peoples lives hell, yet because they do what the overlords deem correct they are called free and democratic. Africans will you ever wake up? Name one country that removed their king, changed their way of life that has their people in a better state here in Africa.