12/09/2025

On a recent Zoom session, Cde Mhlonishwa Mtsetfwa, a member of the Communist Party of Swaziland (CPS) Central Committee, delivered a compelling presentation titled “Mass Mobilisation for Economic Justice Campaign: CPS Perspective on the Right to Decent Housing.” The presentation highlighted the urgent need for collective action in the struggle for economic justice, with a strong focus on housing as a fundamental human right.

Cde Mtsetfwa emphasized that economic justice demands equal access, equal opportunities, and fair distribution of wealth—principles currently undermined in Swaziland. The right to decent housing is deeply connected to economic justice because shelter is a basic human need, inseparable from food and clothing. A proper home provides the foundation for health, safety, and dignity.

A significant portion of Swaziland’s population, especially in rural areas, continues to live in old, unsafe, and outdated housing infrastructure despite global advancements. Many houses lack durability and pose safety hazards. The high cost of building materials and widespread unemployment, particularly among youth, severely restrict access to decent housing.

Income levels directly influence the ability to afford proper housing. Low income often results in overcrowding and unsafe living conditions, as seen in urban poor settlements like KaKhoza and Mbuleni. Additionally, frequent evictions across the country leave many without secure land tenure, creating uncertainty and preventing permanent home construction.

What Constitutes Decent Housing? Decent housing means more than just shelter; it implies safety and adequacy. Homes should be waterproof to protect residents from harsh weather, have proper sanitation, and access to electricity—a necessity in modern society. Unfortunately, many Swazis face health risks due to the lack of these essential standards.

Access to social services such as schools, clinics, shops, and reliable roads is critical for survival and wellbeing. However, rural areas remain underdeveloped due to neglect under the tinkhundla system, leading to limited access to these vital services.

Government policies must prioritize social housing, affordable loans, building regulations, zoning, and subsidies for low-income households. However, the current tinkhundla government has neglected these responsibilities, focusing instead on exploitation and luxurious living at the expense of the people.

Cde Mtsetfwa articulated the CPS vision of a society where the right to housing is a basic human right for all. The government should be responsible for providing low-cost, quality housing accessible to the entire population. With over 75% of Swaziland’s people living in rural areas, land currently owned and controlled by the monarchy must be returned to the people, enabling free access and participatory planning.

The CPS stresses the importance of community councils as grassroots democratic structures. These councils empower communities to collectively discuss and resolve their challenges, serving as a form of resistance against the oppressive tinkhundla system and monarchical rule.

Cde Mtsetfwa concluded with a powerful call for the people of Swaziland to unite in the fight for freedom, to abolish the tinkhundla system, and to build a better future grounded in economic justice and the right to decent housing.

#NDR #CPS #EconomicJustice #MasMobalisation#ForSocialism

CPS Press

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