Loss of Cultural Diversity

Tradition is a large part of the Swaziland people and culture. The way people dance, sing and
mourn in deeply entrenched in the traditions that have carried on from decades before. With a
supreme ruler (king) still in place, the likelihood of this changing soon is slim to none. There
have been several attempts to change the political atmosphere of Swaziland by creating a
democratic society, but each time something is said, the idea is shot down. For example, in 1973,
The King previous was in no mind to introduce something that would change their lives forever.
Along with banning political parties, the King Sobhuza suspends the constitution (BBC,2015).
None of those in high places that were males did not see a reason for the Constitution as much as
the poor and oppressed. In 2005, the High Court announced that Swaziland's banned political
parties are "non-existent" under the law. The parties had been bidding for a say in a draft
constitution(BBC,2005). The positive is, though, that at least there is a Constitution to
reference. Who knows what the future hold for the oppressed and the underrepresented? Also, it
is a change in culture just to get that Constitution to take place. The kings in Swaziland are so
engulfed in their own ways that they forget about the struggling citizens who are making less
than a dollar a day while they are sitting in their private jets. Im not sure if this Constitution will
gain much traction while I am young, but I would hope that by the time Im 80 more rights will
be available for the women then there are currently.
Since 2010, new HIV infection rates have fallen gradually in Swaziland thanks to increased
access to testing and medicine from outreach work, as well as successful prevention of mother to
child transmission (PMTCT) interventions.

But critics say that Swazilands official HIV response is failing to address the epidemics gender
imbalance with few programs aimed at girls and young women. Analysts and international aid
institutions like UNAIDS say that without addressing core drivers like poverty and cultural
norms, young women will remain much more vulnerable to HIV infection than
men.(FSRN,2015).The culture of new technological advancements is great. With new
advancements come more chances to curb issuespotentially. But, the maltreatment towards
women is a culture that truly needs to change in order for real growth to occur. The graph shown
below depicts a decreasing rate of growth for HIV/AIDS. This is due to newer technologies that
are making their way into Swaziland. These are cultural diversities that will save lives.

Some cultural heritages need to stay the same and remain firm in the minds and hearts of the
people. Others traditions such as a lack of equity, knowledge and social justice need to change
dramatically in Swaziland if true freedom is to be experienced. The government and most of its
people are holding on to old traditions such as the ruling of a king and queen. The kingdom of
Swaziland is inundated with tradition. From the dances to the farming, anyone who goes to

Swaziland will see history preserved in the culture. There will also be seen advancements in
technology to help with the HIV/AIDS epidemic and a constitution in place to bring order to the
country. The diversity of culture has been a good thing for this country of one million people.
Time and will power from the Swazi people have the ability to be the lynch pin to hold the new
and old together.

Actualitix. (2016, January 3). Swaziland - Statisticals Health. Retrieved April 15, 2016, from
http://en.actualitix.com/country/swz/statistics-health-swaziland.php
BBC. (2016, January 22). Swaziland country profile - BBC News. Retrieved April 15, 2016,
from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-14095303
Free Speech Radio News. (2015, May 11). Swaziland has worlds highest HIV/AIDS rate; young
women most affected. Retrieved April 15, 2016, from https://fsrn.org/2015/05/swaziland-hasworlds-highest-hivaids-rate-young-women-most-affected/