Tuesday, 12 January 2021: The South African Communist Party joins the people of Swaziland in mourning the passing of the founding President of the People’s United Democratic Movement (Pudemo) of Swaziland Comrade Mario ‘Bhambatha’ Masuku (70). We send our message of deepest condolences to the Masuku family, Pudemo, and the entire movement and all the people struggling for democracy in Swaziland, for the great loss encountered. Masuku passed away early evening on Monday, 11 January 2021.

He was a leader who rose from the ranks of the trade union movement in Swaziland, leading struggles for workers’ rights and defending workers’ gains under the banner of the Swaziland Union of Financial Institutions and Allied Workers. It was in the real theatre of the working-class struggle against the toxic nexus of capitalist and feudal exploitation; the struggle for improved employment, working and living conditions in their connection; the struggle to secure the goal of liberation and social emancipation, that his outstanding leadership qualities were identified by other progressives and revolutionaries as vital to the struggle for democracy in Swaziland. This led to his election in July 1983 at the founding Congress of Pudemo as its first President.

At the time of his death, Masuku was the longest former President of Pudemo. During his leadership, working within the framework of the principle of collective leadership, he led Pudemo with unquestionable dedication and loyalty to the people and their collective struggle for democracy in Swaziland. Under his leadership, Pudemo built and deepened its international ties with the SACP, our entire liberation movement, and the progressive trade union movement in South Africa. Our formations worked very closely in international solidarity.

The SACP reiterates its unwavering solidarity with the people of Swaziland struggling for democracy. The achievement of democracy in Swaziland is an essential ingredient for post-colonial development in Southern Africa and regional integration under conditions of freedom for all the people.       

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