The Kingdom is on a quest to forge a progressive, peaceful and independent state to ensure rapid and sustained economic growth in the long-term, while remaining constant to its vibrant and enchanting traditions and ancient cultures.
Eswatini has always been a land of kings, with the Dlamini dynasty dating back to Chief Dlamini I (1435-1465) who migrated with the Emaswati from East Africa, and Ngwane III, ruling from 1745 to 1780, considered the first King of modern Eswatini. Today, the Dlamini House is the last monarchy in sub-Saharan Africa, and one of the last in the world.
At the head of the kingdom and country rules King Mswati III, or the Ingwenyama (meaning lion in siSwati) who, according to tradition, rules alongside the Queen Mother, or Indlovukazi (meaning Great She-Elephant).
While the Queen Mother Ntfombi is seen as the spiritual leader, the King is the administrative head; both are represented on the national coat of arms with the motto: ‘We are the fortress.’ Eswatini’s royal family also includes, but is not exclusive to, the king’s wives (emakhosikati), his children, half-siblings and their families.
It is a family committed to upholding and preserving the rich Eswatini traditions, stories, cultural past and ceremonies, while intent on bringing prosperity to the country with forward-thinking measures that are paving the way for the nation’s sharp national economic growth and modernisation.
- The Golden Jubilee
On April 19, 2018, during the nation’s joint celebrations for its 50 years since independence and King Mswati III’s 50th birthday, the king announced that the nation would adopt its pre-colonial name, Eswatini, the land of the Emaswati.
The King’s eldest daughter and current Minister of ICT, Princess Sikhanyiso, explains: “When you change your name, you change your game. I believe that His Majesty’s rebranding of the Kingdom is a way for us to align with Vision 2022. Eswatini is the brand and the vision is the game.” By restoring its legitimate name to the nation, the King is symbolically reclaiming, as well as endorsing, the true inheritance and rightful identity of the country, while setting the tone for a new start towards a prosperous and promising future.
- Eswatini’s New Cabinet
In October 2018, King Mswati III invited its citizens to help choose a new prime minister through Sibaya, a 3-day People’s Parliament. “Sibaya has always been the medium to promote peace like it has always happened in the country. Respect is always at the forefront and so is peace,” declared King Mswati III.
As a consequence, Ambrose Dlamini, former chief executive of the local unit of telecoms group, MTN, was appointed new prime minister, undergoing the cultural initiation ceremony of Kubutseka, whereby he declared undivided loyalty to the royal family to the the nation’s well-being and was awarded with the name ‘Sibaya,’ because he was the first prime minister to have ever been chosen at Sibaya.
Shortly after, he was sworn in and a completely new cabinet, whose main drive and strategy aimed for economic transformation through innovation and a private sector mindset, was unveiled.
Eswatini stands solid, majestic and proud under the royal family’s guidance; securely counterpoised amongst the nation’s ancient traditions and customs and the King’s ambitious and innovative strategies for economic growth through the implementation of modern technology and infrastructure.
The King’s decision to reclaim the nation’s original name is indicative of the driving force behind the royal family’s highest aspirations for the welfare of its people, as well as demonstrative of their commitment to the consistent idyllic reign of peace presiding over the length and breadth of the nation.
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