Celebrities back in the limelight for parliamentary poll

California is not the only place facing an unconventional election in October, as the nomination list of candidates for Swaziland's upcoming parliamentary elections show. "California has Arnold Schwarzenegger, and we've got celebrity candidates like radio and TV personalities, gospel singing stars and no less than two former Miss Swazilands," political writer Timothy Simelane told IRIN. In a conservative society where male elders are traditionally chosen for positions of authority, an unprecedented number of teenagers and women have been selected by their communities this week to compete in the primaries for the 55 seats in the House of Assembly. King Mswati appoints an additional 10 MPs. Candidates, some of whom have been accused of being clueless about issues, are trading on their fame to obtain a prestigious parliamentary seat, with its good pay and other privileges. In a nation where political opposition parties are banned by royal decree, candidates have no party platforms to run on. They run as individuals, and name recognition helps. "Never in the history of the country's political life have elections ignited so much interest from youth and flamboyant personalities from the different sectors of Swazi society," noted the Times of Swaziland. One of the two former Miss Swazilands nominated to stand for next month's primary elections, Vinah Mamba, who was the first Miss Swaziland in 1972 and has subsequently kept a high profile by organising other beauty pageants, told prospective constituents that she would "work to improve the National Arts Council." France Dlamini, a noted gospel singer who wants to represent the people of rural Khuzizono promised to "bring the word of God back into government. The new constitution must not permit religions that are Satanic." Candidate Timothy Myeni, whose popular gospel group has a current hit song, agrees. Gospel singer Pastor Mexico Nene, who is running in Nkiliji in Western Swaziland, said his fame will make it easier to get attention for his community's needs. At least these candidates have platforms to run on. Other candidates have presented wish lists of developmental projects, like factories, dams, highways and hospitals they would acquire for their constituents, but offer no plans on how to accomplish these goals. Radio DJ and soccer commentator S’gayoyo Magongo got himself nominated. So did a newsreader for the government television station, Philile Dlamini, and radio personality Meshack Makhubu. Hlob'sile Ndlovu, who organises an annual fashion awards show for a local condom distributor, was also nominated. None of their positions on the issues facing Swaziland are known. Among teenagers nominated, 18-year-old Sibongane Masuku, a student at Mswati High School in northern Hhohho region, will be running against two of his teachers. "I will win the elections, and I do not think there is anybody who will give me stiff competition. As for the two teachers, they don't scare me," Masuku said. Voters can also choose among soccer stars Nichodemus "Ace" Mashwama, a striker for the Mbabane Highlanders team, Josiah "Digger" Dlamini, a coach for the national side, and Football Association president, Patrick Kunene. Their positions on major crises affecting Swazi society are also unknown. About a quarter of Swazis will be without food and dependant on donor assistance from the World Food Programme and other humanitarian agencies by early next year. An HIV infection rate of 38.6 percent of the adult population has helped lower life expectancy to 32 years, and is causing an AIDS orphans crisis. Unemployment stands at 40 percent. Economic indicators have headed stubbornly downward for a decade, and foreign investors are discouraged by a "rule of law" dispute that has undermined the judiciary. Labour unions have announced a stepped-up programme of protest action against what they describe as an un-democratic royal government. "This is a small country where people know each other. MPs are elected because of who they are and how well they're known," explained Phindile Shongwe, a postal worker in the central town of Manzini. Some political commentators have pointed out that parliament is not where national policy originates, and MPs with political and social goals have been frustrated in the past. "The palace is the seat of power. Even in the new constitution, parliament is subordinate to the king. Laws will continue to be made by palace-appointed ministers. They'll be debated in parliament. But if MPs don't pass a law the king wants, he'll decree it into law," a foreign diplomat told IRIN.