Cebelihle Mbuyisa

Stories by: Cebelihle Mbuyisa

• Video
WATCH | 1976 and 2015: Vital turns towards true freedom
The uprisings of 1976 and the Fees Must Fall protests of 2015, almost 40 years later, were important turns in the continuing fight for the true emancipation of a majority of South Africans.
Journalist: Cebelihle Mbuyisa, Zandile Bangani
Producer: Dara Kell
Videographer: ANDYMKOSI
16 Jun 2022

• Features
Sharp Read | Prehistoric psycho for the win
An eSwatini chemist’s short story about early humans and murder has made it to this year’s Commonwealth prize shortlist. Yet, its author is disinclined to accept the title ‘writer’.
By: Cebelihle Mbuyisa
19 May 2022

• News
Pupils leave dysfunctional eSwatini schools for SA
Many parents near the border have sent their children to South African schools after the pandemic and mass protests disrupted local classes.
By: Cebelihle Mbuyisa
11 May 2022

• News
Pro-democracy MPs remain in jail as eSwatini burns
In a show of power, the state is making an example of the two members of Parliament whose only sin was to call for democratic reforms to the monarchy.
By: Cebelihle Mbuyisa
26 Apr 2022

• News
Paralysed child’s parents deserve answers
A tree fell at a school in Mpumalanga, injuring Melokuhle Tshabalala. His father wants to see the report and footage of the incident but neither the principal nor the department will show him.
By: Cebelihle Mbuyisa
17 Feb 2022

• Analysis
King Mswati III shows no commitment to talks
In action and in speech, the ruler of eSwatini and his government refuse to listen to the mass democratic movement’s demands for a genuine dialogue.
By: Cebelihle Mbuyisa
9 Feb 2022

• News
Sibaya is no platform for a dialogue, say emaSwati
Pro-democracy campaigners in eSwatini are united in rejecting the so-called People’s Parliament because it is not a neutral venue for a national conversation about the country’s future.
By: Cebelihle Mbuyisa
28 Oct 2021

• News
Long Read | eSwatini: the people versus the king
King Mswati III’s forces continue to kill, maim and jail pro-democracy protesters and other innocent citizens, including children and teens, while the international community looks on.
By: Cebelihle Mbuyisa, Magnificent Mndebele
12 Aug 2021

• News
eSwatini killings: All the king’s men vs the people
As the regime meets demands for democracy with violence, activists and ordinary people affirm a resolute commitment to continuing resistance, even as they are murdered and injured.
By: Cebelihle Mbuyisa, Magnificent Mndebele
5 Jul 2021

• News
The voice of the people rises in eSwatini
Sparked by the death of Thabani Nkomonye, protests in eSwatini quickly escalated to encompass the bigger issue of the lack of democracy when it comes to elected government.
By: Cebelihle Mbuyisa
30 Jun 2021

• Features
eSwatini Parliament starts to push back
Even as eSwatini’s Parliament shows some life, with lively debates that have led to the withdrawal of some of the regime’s bills, it remains an undemocratic institution under the king’s absolute control.
By: Cebelihle Mbuyisa
19 Apr 2021

• News
eSwatini needs to talk about illegal abortions
Because pregnancies can only be terminated legally in extreme instances such as rape, many women find other ways. And many do not survive the process.
By: Cebelihle Mbuyisa
27 Oct 2020

• News
Reopening eSwatini’s controversial Ngwenya Mine
A licence to restart work at an iron ore opencast mine has been issued despite complaints of poor working conditions and dust and water pollution affecting the surrounding areas.
By: Cebelihle Mbuyisa
20 Oct 2020

• News
eSwatini: A brief tale of two laws
An act passed to recover the proceeds of organised crime may now be used by eSwatini’s authorities to score points for a cannabis law that many think will benefit a powerful few.
By: Cebelihle Mbuyisa
15 Sep 2020

COVID-19
• News
EmaSwati workers and traders want to return to SA
When South Africa sealed its borders because of the lockdown, the 11 entry points it shares with eSwatini were closed too. But those who make their living in SA are eager to return.
By: Cebelihle Mbuyisa
11 Aug 2020

COVID-19
• News
eSwatini teachers oppose hasty school reopening
For the better part of June and July, the eSwatini government has ignored protests by parents and teachers and reopened schools, despite poor levels of readiness in many institutions.
By: Cebelihle Mbuyisa
5 Aug 2020

• Features
Long Read | eSwatini’s history of forced evictions
Companies and the government have been evicting small-scale farmers off the land they have lived on and worked for years. Many have lost homes – and more are on the line.
By: Cebelihle Mbuyisa, Magnificent Mndebele
8 Jul 2020

• Features
Book Review | Finding Common Ground
Wandile Sihlobo’s words about his passion for agricultural development in rural areas ring hollow at a close reading of his new book. It is a bidding for Big Agriculture and its supposed land reform answers.
By: Cebelihle Mbuyisa
2 Jul 2020

• News
The AIDS years
There was a time when family and neighbours were falling fast, the need for graves outpacing the available space. But antiretrovirals have improved and the stigma of HIV has lessened.
By: Cebelihle Mbuyisa
4 Dec 2019

• Features
The shock of sudden retrenchment
A company closing, its employees let go by ‘the bearer of bad news’. Sucker punched, one man has yet to tell his mother.
By: Cebelihle Mbuyisa
19 Aug 2019