BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE– As the Kingdom of Eswatini prepares to celebrate King Mswati III’s birthday tomorrow and enjoy the national holiday, international media houses have joined in.
Some of the media houses who joined in on the countdown include New York Online, Mail Guardian and BBC Worldwide channel.
The aforementioned media outlets yesterday had special reports and countdowns to help remind people around the world that a King was going to be born tomorrow.
“On April 19, 2023, Eswatini, also known as Swaziland, celebrate King Mswati III’s birthday as a national holiday.
“A special council known as the Liqoqo chooses a king’s successor after his death. Its task is to choose which of his wives will be named ‘Indlovukazi’ or Great She-Elephant, and will bear the next king’s child. The wife must be of good character, have only one son, and not be called Nkhosi-Dlamini as her maiden name,” reads a special article in Mail and Guardian online publication.
Meanwhile, it is worth noting that His Majesty King Mswati announced that 2023 will see EmaSwati celebrate 55/55 double celebration. His Majesty announced this when speaking during the official opening of the 5th session of the 11th Parliament in February.
The King disclosed that this year the Kingdom of Eswatini shall have a double celebration of 55 years of independence and the 55th birthday of the monarch.
“It is gratifying to note that our monarchical democracy has evolved over the years. This is evidenced by the fact that the national elections held every 5th year are one of the most democratic,” the King said.
According to the internet, Mswati III is Africa’s last absolute monarch. He appoints the Prime Minister of the country and several chamber representatives.
His Majesty further declared in April 2018 that the nation will be renamed ‘the Kingdom of Eswatini’ which was the name it had before British colonialism.
During celebrations for Eswatini’s independence’s 50th anniversary, the monarch declared the official reform in a stadium. The king’s 50th birthday was also commemorated by the festivities.
King Mswati III was born in Manzini, on April 19, 1968. His father was the late King Sobhuza II, and his mother, Queen Ntfombi, who is now the Queen Mother, was the late Queen Sobhuza II.
In September 1983, Mswati was formally elected Crown Prince. At the age of 18, he was proclaimed King in 1986. King Mswati III was also the world’s youngest head of state at the time of his appointment.
