Mswati III is the king of Eswatini (Swaziland).
He is one of the world’s longest serving leaders in the world and rules the Southern Africa nation as an absolute monarch.
King Mswati III rules Eswatini alongside his mother Ntfombi Tfwala, now Queen Mother.
Though he is well respected and popular in his country, his reign has in the recent past attracted criticism from local and internationals.
Yesterday, June 28, it was alleged that he fled the country after pro-democracy protests turned chaotic.
Background
Real name, Makhosetive Diamini, King Mswati III was born on April 19, 1968 in Manzini, Swaziland.
He is son to King Sobhuza II who ruled Eswatini for 82 years and had 125 wives. Mswati III is the only son of Queen mother Ntfombi Tfwala, who was one of King Sobhuza II’s younger wives.
He was born at the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital in Manzini, four months before Swaziland attained independence.
Makhosetive means “King of Nations” in reference to the number of rulers that visited the country during that year’s independence celebrations.
Education
King Mswati III attended Masundwini Primary School and later Lozitha Palace School as a young child.
In December 1982, he sat for his Swaziland Primary Certificate examination at Phondo Royal Residence and was awarded a First Class with merit in Mathematics and English.
Between 1983 and 1986, he attended Sherborne School (International College) in the UK.
Kingship
He developed major interest in the royal guard and became the youngest ever cadet at the Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force (USDF).
Following the death of King Sobhuza II on August 21, 1982, the Great Council of State (the Liqoqo) selected 14-year-old prince Makhosetive as the Crown Prince in September 1983.
While Mswati III was away in school, two of King Sobhuza II’s wives served as regent. Queen Dzeliwe Shongwe from 1982 to1983 and his mother Queen Ntfombi Tfwala from 1983 to 1986.
He was crowned king on April 25, 1986 at the age of 18.
King Mswati III is the only remaining absolute monarch in Africa. He appoints the Prime Minister, the cabinet and other traditional posts. He seeks advice on the appointment of a PM from the Liqoqo and the Queen mother. For the appointment of cabinet, he does so with the counsel of the PM.
In 2004, he championed for a new constitution that allowed freedom of speech and media.
Wives and Children
King Mswati III has 15 wives and 23 children. His first two wives were picked by the national council.
According to their tradition, he can only marry a fiance’ when she becomes pregnant, which proves she can bear heirs. Untii then, they are referred to as concubines.
Name Change
On his birthday, April 19, 2018, King Mswati changed the country’s name to Eswatini, giving up the colonial name of Swaziland.
Wealth
The king has often come under criticism for his lavish life highlighted by extravagant spending. He has splashed his wealth on some of the most expensive cars in the world.
He even banned photography of his cars.
In 2009 Forbes reported him to among the wealthiest royals in the world with a net worth of $200 million. In 2021, celebrity net worth, estimated King Mswati III to be worth over $100 million.
