DEAR Editor,-
I was fortunate to have a position offered to me by the CEO of Lonrho motor holdings in Swaziland and was involved in mid-management of the Toyota division.
Unfortunately after seven years, I was forced to break my contract due to ill health and was strongly advised by specialists to return to the coast, as I had major lung problems.
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After suggested punishments in the media for offenders like reinstating the death penalty, castration, etcetera, I share the beautiful memories of the lovely country I had the pleasure of living in.
1 I do not condone the death penalty;
2 The Swazis are one nation, they are all brothers and sisters and drop everything in their lunch break to help a delivery van and his staff offload a freight truck of 20 to 40 boxes of spare parts from South Africa;
3 One never sees racism in Swaziland. My wife and I could walk freely through the taxi rank to be greeted by name;
4 I must stress that these punishments were still in power, when I retired in 2002 – the death penalty; being in jail was certainly no holiday, like ours – there’s no TV or training of any kind whilst in prison, and, very basic food and no luxuries;
5 No rubber bullets or live ammo aimed at legs. In the seven years, only once did I hear of shots being fired – warning shots.
I’m not writing to put my tuppence worth to our never-ending problem, but merely trying to express real freedom without having to look over your shoulder at all times.
I know a survey was done on criminality in Swaziland and the majority of crimes committed are, sad to say, South Africans.
I must stress, that was the situation when I left in 2002.
To this day, several of my former staff stay in contact with me, after 17 years of retirement.
DT GRAY
Manaba
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