Mswati III marks 40 years on Eswatini throne

King Mswati III of Eswatini marks 40 years on the African kingdom’s throne today.

Born on 19 April 1968, Makhosetive Dlamini is the child of the late King Sobhuza II and Queen Mother Ntfombi in what was then the Swaziland Protectorate. As the African monarchy is polygamous, Mswati has 209 siblings from his father’s 70 wives.

His father died on 21 August 1982 when Mswati was only 14. The Great Council of State then selected the teenager as the next monarch, and he was named as crown prince in 1983. Since he was still a minor, his mother was Regent until he was 18.

Mswati was crowned on 25 April 1986, just six days after becoming an adult. Since then, he has ruled alongside his mother.

The King leads Africa’s last reigning absolute monarchy, meaning His Majesty has unchecked political and veto power. He does, however, have to discuss matters and get advice from the Queen Mother and the Great Council of State. He wields significant influence and power over all branches of government and the military, and the King has been accused of human rights abuses.

King Mswati chose to restore the country’s parliament. However, either he appoints the representatives, or they are elected by traditional chiefs who hold political power. He is also responsible for the new constitution that ended the state of emergency his father enacted in 1973. Under the 2005 constitution, the people have freedom of speech and assembly, but the government restricts these rights to a certain extent.

The King with one of his wives, Sibonelo Mngometulu, with former US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon

His Majesty also changed the name of the country in 2018 from Swaziland to Eswatini to mark 50 years since its independence from the United Kingdom. Eswatini was the ancient name of the country.

Eswatini is one of the poorest countries in the world, with diseases like HIV/AIDs widespread across the rural land. Life expectancy is one of the lowest in the world.

Following tradition, the King has had at least 16 wives, two of whom have died. He has around 20 children.