April 2011 - Centre for Civil Society - University of KwaZulu-Natal

incredulously emptied the presidential safes and stole as much as they
could before escaping. As Chavez descended from the helicopter, cries and
cheers were heard from the crowd. An extraordinary feeling of community
power, justice and love eminated from those who had risked their lives to
rescue their democracy, their constitution, their president, and most of
all, their dignity.
THREATS CONTINUE
During the celebration this Wednesday, President Chavez, speaking before
a volumunious crowd that marched to the presidential palace grounds,
reaffirmed that “Nobody can topple our Revolution again”, warning those
who continue with destabilization plans that they will be “swept away”
and “never return”.
As the crowds chanted “The people united will never be defeated”, the
Venezuelan President, reflected on the events 9 years ago, “They came at
us with a coup backed by powerful interests, the US government and the
elite, but they were met but something even more powerful: the people of
Venezuela and our real soldiers”.
Nonetheless, the majority of those involved in the coup remain present in
Venezuelan politics today, still aiming to oust Chavez’s government and
put an end to the Bolivarian Revolution. During the 9 years since the coup,
US government funding for opposition groups and parties in Venezuela has
increased exponentially, reaching nearly $15 million annually from State
Department agencies alone.
Several of the key members of the coup, who were given amnesty by
President Chavez in 2007 in an attempt to promote national dialogue,
today hold positions in regional governments (governors and mayors), and
in the nation’s National Assembly. From these legitimate platforms, they
continue to conspire against the Chavez administration.
Ironically, during this week’s coup anniversary, one participant in the April
2002 events, Maria Corina Machado, now a member of the National
Assembly, was invited by the Department of State to dictate several
conferences in the US, including one in Miami titled “600 Days to Eradicate
Authoritarianism: Transforming Venezuela”. While in Miami, Machado
“celebrated” with a community of self-exiled Venezuelans, many of whom
played key roles in the coup. Machado is slated to be an opposition
contender in Venezuela’s presidential elections in 2012.
www.zcommunications.org
Swaziland: Mswati, you are on your own...
Sokari Ekine First Published in Pambazuka 15 April 2011
Hundreds of Swazis have been arrested after they took to the streets on 12
and 13 April, to demonstrate against the monarchy. Swaziland’s King
Mswati has presided over a ‘system of governance’ that protest organisers
say has left the country’s ‘people divided, poor and powerless’. Sokari
Ekine reports on southern Africa’s first uprising
I am at the point where I have the utmost respect for those who have or
are considering engaging in some level of protest against their