Mario Masuku
Mario Thembeka Masuku (9 October 1951[1] – 11 January 2021) was a Swazi politician who was the leader of the People's United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), Eswatini's banned opposition party.[2]
Mario Masuku | |
|---|---|
| Founding President of the People's United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) | |
| In office 6 July 1983 – 13 September 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Mlungisi Makhanya |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Mario Thembeka Masuku 9 October 1951 Makhosini, Nhlangano, Eswatini |
| Died | 11 January 2021 (aged 69) |
| Spouse | Thembi Mkhonta-Masuku |
| Children | Mzwandile Masuku |
| Occupation | Politician |
Early life and education
He was born and grew up in the village of Makhosini located in Nhlangano, Eswatini.[3] He was born into a poor family as the sixth of ten children.[3] His father, Malcom, worked in the mines in Makhosini, and was also afterward a cowherd working in the Ministry of Agriculture in the Shiselweni Region.[3] His mother, Fakazile, was a maid on farms from the Zwane clan, then a stay-at-home after the children's births.[3] He attended Evelyn Baring High School.[4] He was suspended multiple times during his education there for criticizing what he stated was racism by British teachers towards native Swazi teachers.[4]
Imprisonment for political activity
The Royal Swazi Police arrested and imprisoned Masuku at Matsapha maximum security prison on charges of sedition in 2001.[4]
He was arrested again on November 15, 2008, under the Suppression of Terrorism Act of 2008. At the funeral of Musa Dlamini, who died while supposedly trying to bomb the Lozitha bridge, Masuku is alleged to have verbally supported recent bombings of government institutions. He was acquitted and discharged at the High Court on September 21, 2009 after spending 340 days in prison.[5][6]
On 1 May 2014, Masuku, after a making a speech at a May day rally in Manzini, was arrested together with student activist Maxwell Dlamini.[7] They were charged with terrorism and sedition. A widely supported[8][9][10][11] international campaign for their release was started shortly thereafter.[12]
He died on 11 January 2021, from COVID-19.[13][14]
References
- ^ "Highlanders shattered by Mario's demise". Independent News. 13 January 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
- ^ Caesar Zvayi (2007). "Zimbabwe: Welcome Home Son of McGee". The Herald via allAfrica. Retrieved 28 November 2007.
- ^ a b c d "Swaziland: Jailed liberation fighter Mario Masuku: `A brief autobiography'". links.org.au. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
- ^ a b c "Standing up to Swaziland's king". BBC News. 4 February 2002. Retrieved 28 November 2007.
- ^ Hager, Sarah (23 September 2009). "Mario Masuku Acquitted in Swaziland". Amnesty International USA. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
- ^ Nxumalo, Manqoba (22 September 2009). "Mario Masuku a free man". Times of Swaziland. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
- ^ "Petition To Free PUDEMO Leader". en.africatime.com. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
- ^ "Swaziland: President of Danish Parliament Support Jailed PUDEMO President Mario Masuku's release". www.cosatu.org.za. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
- ^ Swaziland long-serving President of PUDEMO party, Comrade Mario "Bhambatha" Masuku has died
- ^ "Danish political support for Mario Masuku". 22 January 2015. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
- ^ "Danish party supports Mario and Maxwell". 17 June 2014. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
- ^ "Free Mario Masuku and Maxwell Dlamini - Afrika Kontakt". afrika.dk. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
- ^ "COSATU mourns PUDEMO founding President Mario Masuku's death". Swaziland News. 13 January 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
- ^ "Pudemo, ANC, EFF pay tribute to Mario Masuku". 14 January 2021.