We are not all about weed – Rastafarians defend identity
Some of the various religious members during the meeting.
Members of the Rastafarian community used the Home Affairs meeting to correct misconceptions about their faith, insisting that it should not be defined by marijuana use.
Aymos Zwane said the community believes in one God and promotes peace and respect within society.
He added that Rastafarians felt excluded from the Ministry’s draft discussions and wanted formal inclusion in the new policy.
Ngcondvolemnyama Mhlanga, a prominent Rastafarian, said their movement is rooted in African culture and unity.
“We must complement each other instead of discriminating against each other,” he said.
As a symbolic gesture, Mhlanga presented peaches and seedlings to the Minister, calling them a gift of peace and growth.
Worth noting, Rastafarians have long faced social stigma in Eswatini due to the illegal status of cannabis.
They told the Ministry that regulation should separate faith identity from criminal association and allow equal recognition alongside other religions.
