Friends of Swazi Freedom denounces Minister of Education Owen Nxumlao's homophobic comments

Owen Nxumlao, Minister of Education and Training in Swaziland, news video screenshot

Jason Cohen, Friends of Swazi Freedom

As the school year begins in Swaziland students who are already facing social and economic insecurity due to the exploitative nature of the Tinkhundla regime are now faced with the threat of expulsion and discipline due to their deviation from heterosexual norms according to Owen Nxumlao who is the Minister of Education and Training in Swaziland. In a statement uttered on January 27, 2026, Owen Nxumalo argued that “there is no place for gays in schools”. We in Friends of Swazi Freedom wholeheartedly denounce this statement and policy directive coming from Owen Nxumalo. We believe that this declaration will only lead to greater insecurity of students and legitimize both interpersonal and structural violence against LGBTQI+ students in schools and will have violent societal wide repercussions for Queer Emaswati.

Friends of Swazi Freedom stands firmly with the Swazi nation as they struggle against a brutal absolute monarchy that upholds an exploitative and anti-human neocolonial order. We struggle for the total liberation of humanity from capitalist-imperialist oppression and oppression based upon gender and sexuality must be smashed in order for humanity to flourish. Owen Nxumalo’s comments directly threaten the livelihood and well being of students who dare to live as their authentic selves and challenge the heteronormative order that disciplines Emaswati gender and sexual expressions. We also note that such discriminatory statements and directives are in direct contravention of Constitutional maintenance of equality among Emaswati, but we also recognize that the Tinkhundla regime has no problem ignoring both domestic law and international covenants that the regime tentatively agrees to but will contravene when their interests dictate it is right to do so.

In light of these circumstances we still urge for judicial authorities to deliberate and make public a statement denouncing such homophobic directives as unconstitutional. We also demand that Minister Owen Nxumalo apologize to the queer community and resign from his position. He has proved a failure in ensuring the proper administration of the school system in Swaziland before such comments and has only increased the danger of the school environment by his inflammatory comments. Lastly, we call for queer liberation organizations and all revolutionary and progressive organizations worldwide to join us in denouncing these homophobic directives and the brutal system that has fostered such discriminatory and oppressive attitudes. Let us organize together and mobilize at Swaziland embassies and diplomatic institutions worldwide.

Down With Homophobia! Down With Owen Nxumalo! Down With The Murderer Mswati!!!

In Revolutionary Solidarity,

Jason Cohen

Friends of Swazi Freedom