Swaziland protests

TM says the protesters brought their concern to the government today. I spoke to one of the organizers. This is a woman’s organization of HIV-positive women in the country. she said this protest is meant to express the anger of women living with HIV on the government’s inability to look into proper issues when spending taxpayer’s money. She lamented about the plight of the underpriviledged in rural areas because the government is not able to provide enough. She said the money used in this shopping spree could’ve provided enough money for those who are in need of food and those who are HIV positive. (Swaziland has the highest HIV infection rate of anywhere in the world, and 40% of adults are infected. But is it unusual that there would be such a protest given that Swaziland is the only absolute monarchy left in Africa?) Swaziland is one country whose citizens are still ruled under a repressive regime. The King, despite the protests, has not moved in terms of allowing democratization. (Does anyone buy the argument that the King should be celebrating independence and that the Queens should look regal and elegant?) Most of the Swazis don’t believe that, especially the educated people. There has been a great concern that millions would be lost in just one evening. Unfortunately, the government felt this date should be celebrated.