Preventing Prayer in Swaziland: Continuing Nelson Mandela's Long Walk to Freedom

Over the last several days, millions of people around the world mourned the passing of Nelson Mandela.  Despite being 95 years old and in poor health, the loss of such a giant symbol of justice and reconciliation still comes as a shock.  In a beautiful demonstration of solidarity, communities around the world held memorial services, prayer vigils, lowered their flags to half-staff and held moments of silence.  Even here in Chicago, I gathered with friends and held a night of prayer and remembrance for Madiba at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Logan Square.  The tears of many were falling to the soil around the world.

Yet, in a part of the world so close to South Africa, some were denied their right to gather, pray, and give thanks for the life of Nelson Mandela.

On December 13^th, members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa gathered at the Lutheran Community Center in Manzini, Swaziland to pray and give thanks for Madiba’s leadership and life’s work.  But, in some kind of cruel irony, the prayer service was broken up by police and even Bishop A. Mnisi was apprehended and ordered to stop. 

My dear friend, Christine, sent this message earlier today:

"People all over the world have gathered to remember the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela.  And yet, in Swaziland, a neighboring country of South Africa that is still ruled by an absolute monarchy, armed police raided the Lutheran Church in Manzini, Swaziland's main business city, on Dec. 13 and stopped people attending a prayer service to mark the life of Mandela.  

Bishop A.M. Mnisi of the Eastern Diocese of Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa shared these words: 'Mandela's teachings are not for South Africa only but for the whole world.  These events around his death are a lesson for African leaders, that dialogue is better than war, and freedom of your enemy is your own freedom, restoring dignity to a fellow being, is guaranteeing your own freedom.  The doctrine of reconciliation introduced by Mandela as President of a powerful state is indicative to many leaders.  It is painful to note that in many African countries today, there are still political prisoners.  Christian souls that languish in jail for simple reasons that they hold a different opinion.  That security forces are used to refuse people the right to worship freely. Mandela fought for human rights as God given rights we ought to align ourselves with.'

Please join me in prayer for the people of Swaziland, that Madiba's legazy may live on through religious and political leaders who are committed to love instead of oppression."

Swaziland has been suffering under the oppression of the last absolute monarchy in Africa.  King Mswati III has been in power since 1986.  While his nation suffers extreme poverty and the ravishing effects of HIV/AIDS, he has been living a lavish life with his 15 wives.  His iron fist approach has squashed all attempts at democracy, exacerbated poverty and disease, and now prevented peaceful prayer for a man who exemplified freedom and peace.

After I read this note and continued reading about the incident on blog sites, I coulnd't help but ask myself, "What would Mandela do?"

While prayer is important and the foundation of solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Swaziland, I believe we must do more.  We must advocate.  We must share this news.  We must raise our collective voices for all the world to hear.  The oppression in Swaziland is crippling and preventing basic human dignity from blooming into hope and a future.  And for this tyranny to happen in a city only a 4 hour drive from Johannesburg, it is just too close to the shining star of reconciliation for this to be ignored.

Join me.  Share the news.  Advocate for the need of change.  Post about this on social media.  Pray for our brothers and sisters in Swaziland.

Let us all raise our fists and continue Mandela’s long walk to freedom in solidarity with our brothers and sisters whose paths to freedom are blocked by police and oppressive rule.

To read the statements that were to be given at the prayer service, click here and here.

To contact the U.S. Embassy in Swaziland, click here.

To learn more about Swaziland, click here.