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{{Short description|Monarch of Eswatini since 1986}}
{{Infobox Monarch
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
|name = Mswati III of Swaziland
{{Infobox royalty
|title = [[King of Swaziland]]
| name = Mswati III
|image =[[Image:Abdullah Jaafar with King Mswati.jpg|300px]]
|reign = 25 April 1986 – present
| title = [[Ngwenyama]]
|coronation = 25 April 1986
| image = King Mswati III 2024.jpg
|predecessor = [[Sobhuza II]]
| caption = Mswati III in 2024
| succession = [[Ngwenyama|King of Eswatini]]
|successor =
|suc-type = Heir-Apparent
| reign = 25 April 1986 – present
|heir =
| coronation = 25 April 1986
| predecessor = [[Sobhuza II]]
|consort = 14 wives concurrently
| religion = [[Christianity]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2005/51498.htm|title=Swaziland|website=U.S. Department of State}}</ref><!--If you have found what particular denomination he adheres to, please replace Christianity with its name.-->
|issue = 23 children
| spouses = {{List collapsed |title=''16 wives concurrently'' |Nomsah Matsebula (first) <br />
|royal house = [[House of Dlamini]]
Sindi Motsa (second) <br />
|royal anthem =
[[Sibonelo Mngometulu]] (third) <br />
|father = Sobhuza II
LaNgangaza (Carol Dlamini) (fourth, since 1987) <br />
|mother = [[Ntombi of Swaziland|Ntombi]]
Putsoana Hwala (fifth) <br />
|date of birth = {{birth date and age|1968|04|19|df=y}}
Delisa Magwaza (sixth, since 1993, b. 1973) <br />
|place of birth = Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital, [[Swaziland]]
LaGija (Angela Dlamini) (seventh, since 1998, b. 1979) <br />
|date of death =
[[Senteni Masango]] (eighth) <br />
|place of death =
Nontsetselo Magongo (ninth, since 2002, b. 1985) <br />
|buried =
[[Zena Mahlangu]] (tenth, since 2002) <br />
Noliqhwa Ayanda Ntentesa (eleventh, since 2005, b. 1981) <br />
[[Nothando Dube]] (twelfth, since 2005) <br />
Phindile Nkambule (thirteenth, since 2007, b. 1990) <br />
[[Sindiswa Dlamini]] (fourteenth, since 2012, b. 1995) <br />
Siphelele Mashwama (fifteenth, since 2019, b. 1998) <br />
Nomcebo Zuma (sixteenth, since 2024, b. 2003) <br />
}}
}}
| issue = 45 children
'''Mswati III''' (born '''Makhosetive''' on April 19, 1968) of [[Swaziland]] is the [[monarch|king]] of Swaziland, and head of the [[Swazi Royal Family]]. In 1986, he succeeded his father, [[Sobhuza II of Swaziland|Sobhuza II]], as [[absolute monarch]]; and in 2005, his role was modified only slightly as a [[constitutional monarch]] in the small southern African state.<ref name="bearak2008">Bearak, Barry. [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/06/world/africa/06king.html?scp=3&sq=mswati&st=cse "In Destitute Swaziland, Leader Lives Royally,"] ''New York Times.'' September 6, 2008.</ref>
| house = [[House of Dlamini|Dlamini]]
| father = [[Sobhuza II]]
| mother = [[Ntfombi of Eswatini|Ntfombi Tfwala]]
| birth_name = Makhosetive
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1968|4|19|df=y}}
| birth_place = Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital, [[Manzini, Eswatini|Manzini]], [[Swaziland Protectorate]]
| death_date =
| death_place =
| signature = His Majesty King Mswati III Signature.jpg
}}
'''Mswati III''' (born '''Makhosetive'''; 19 April 1968)<ref>[http://members.iinet.net.au/~royalty/states/southafrica/swaziland.html Genealogy:SWAZILAND] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180519204518/http://members.iinet.net.au/~royalty/states/southafrica/swaziland.html |date=19 May 2018 }}, World of Royalty</ref> is the ''[[Ngwenyama]]'' (King) of [[Eswatini]] and head of the [[Swazi royal family]]. He heads an [[absolute monarchy]], as he has veto power over all branches of government and is constitutionally immune from prosecution.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-15 |title=About the Swazi Secrets investigation - ICIJ |url=https://www.icij.org/investigations/swazi-secrets/about-swazi-secrets-investigation/ |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2024-04-15 |title=How international gold dealers exploited a tiny African kingdom's economic dream - ICIJ |url=https://www.icij.org/investigations/swazi-secrets/eswatini-mswati-economic-zone-gold-dubai/ |website=ICIJ |language=en-US}}</ref>


He was born in Manzini in the [[Protectorate of Swaziland]] to King [[Sobhuza II]] and one of his younger wives, [[Ntfombi Tfwala]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/king-mswati-iii-born |title=King Mswati III is born &#124; South African History Online |publisher=Sahistory.org.za |date=19 April 1968 |access-date=26 April 2014}}</ref> He was crowned as Mswati III, Ingwenyama and King of Swaziland, on 25 April 1986 at the age of 18, thus becoming the [[Lists of state leaders by age#10 youngest state leaders|youngest]] ruling [[List of youngest state leaders since 1900#Monarchs|monarch]] in the world at that time.
==Early life==
He is one of many sons of King [[Sobhuza II]] (who had 70 wives and at the time of his death left over 1000 grandchildren) and the only child of [[Ntombi of Swaziland|Ntombi Tfwala]], also known as ''Inkhosikati'' LaTfwala, one of the King's younger wives. He was born at the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital, four months before Swaziland attained independence from [[UK|Britain]]. When he and his mother were discharged from the hospital they went to live at one of King Sobhuza's residences of Etjeni near Masundwini Palace. His birth name was Makhosetive (King of Nations).


With unrestricted political power and able to [[rule by decree]], Mswati III (together with his mother, [[Ntfombi of Eswatini|Ntfombi Tfwala]], now Queen Mother [''[[Ndlovukati]]'']) is the last remaining [[Absolute monarchy|absolute monarch]] in Africa and one of the only 12 remaining absolute national or subnational monarchs in the world.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Staff |date=2021-06-29 |title=Armed forces open fire in crackdown on anti-monarchy protests in Eswatini |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/29/soldiers-deployed-eswatini-crackdown-protests |access-date=2023-08-31 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Under the constitution, the king is the commander-in-chief of the defence force and commissioner-in-chief of police and correctional services and Mswati III exercises ultimate authority over all branches of the national government and effectively controls local governance through his influence over traditional chiefs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Eswatini: Freedom in the World 2022 Country Report |url=https://freedomhouse.org/country/eswatini/freedom-world/2022 |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=Freedom House |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Eswatini |url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/eswatini/ |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=United States Department of State |language=en-US}}</ref>
As a young prince, Makhosetive attended Masundwini Primary School and Lozitha Palace School. He sat for the Swaziland Primary Certificate examination in December 1982 at Phondo Royal Residence and got a First Class with merit in Mathematics and English. He developed a great interest in the royal guard, becoming the first young cadet to join the Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force (USDF).


Under his reign, political dissent and civic and labor activism are subject to harsh punishment under sedition and other laws.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Eswatini: Freedom in the World 2022 Country Report |url=https://freedomhouse.org/country/eswatini/freedom-world/2022 |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=Freedom House |language=en}}</ref> Political parties have been banned in Eswatini since 1973 when King [[Sobhuza II]] declared a state of emergency that has continued ever since.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Swaziland: Africa's last absolute monarchy |url=https://www.dw.com/en/swaziland-africas-last-absolute-monarchy/a-17784664 |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=dw.com|first=Philipp|last=Sandner|date=2014-07-14 |language=en}}</ref> [[2021–2023 Eswatini protests|Pro-democracy protests]] from 2021 onwards have been violently dispersed and political activists have been arrested, subjected to torture and other ill-treatment, and their homes have been raided by security forces.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Human rights in Eswatini |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/africa/southern-africa/eswatini/report-eswatini/ |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=Amnesty International |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Burke |first=Jason |date=2023-01-24 |title=Eswatini: murder of pro-democracy activist prompts outrage |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/24/eswatini-of-pro-democracy-activist-prompts-outrage |access-date=2023-08-31 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> The government exercises total control over the broadcast media, including the only privately owned TV channel, which belongs to the royal family. Almost all media outlets are controlled, directly or indirectly, by Mswati III.
When King Sobhuza II died in 1982, the Great Council of State ( the ''Liqoqo'') selected the 14-year-old prince Makhosetive to be the next king.<ref>Simelane, Hamilton Sipho. (2005). [http://books.google.com/books?id=Ftz_gtO-pngC&pg=PA1521&dq=mswati+iii&client=firefox-a&sig=ACfU3U1mXfP2a6AEMozoXkfZenSyL1_BDw#PPA1528,M1 "Swaziland: Reign of Mswati III," in ''Encyclopedia of African History,'' p. 1528.]</ref> For the next four years two wives of the late King Sobhuza II, Queen [[Dzeliwe Shongwe]] (1982&ndash;1983) and Queen [[Ntombi of Swaziland|Ntombi Tfwala]] (1983&ndash;1986), served as [[regent]] while he continued his education in England, attending [[Sherborne School]], before he was called back to take over.


Mswati III lives an opulent and lavish lifestyle which stands in sharp contrast to the lives of most Emaswazi people.<ref name="pmo" /><ref name="R100" /><ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite news |last1=IRIN |last2=network |first2=part of the Guardian development |date=2013-03-20 |title=Swaziland government sells maize donated by Japan and banks the cash |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2013/mar/20/swaziland-government-sell-food-aid-japan |access-date=2023-08-31 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=2014-05-14 |title=King of impoverished Swaziland increases household budget to $61m |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/14/king-mswati-iii-swaziland-increases-household-budget |access-date=2023-08-31 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kelly |first=Jeremy |date=2023-08-31 |title=Swaziland king spends £13m on cars for his 15 wives|work=The Times |language=en |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/swaziland-king-spends-13m-on-cars-for-his-15-wives-6ws3l5fmm |access-date=2023-08-31 |issn=0140-0460}}</ref> In 2022, an estimated 32% of the population lived below the $2.15/day international poverty line (measured by price-purchasing parity (PPP) in 2017) while 55% of the population was under the lower-middle-income country poverty line of $3.65/day.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Overview |url=https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/eswatini/overview |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=World Bank |language=en}}</ref> Mswati III is known for his practice of [[polygamy]] (although at least two wives are appointed by the state) and currently has 16 wives.<ref name="Tel13">{{cite news |last=Laing |first=Aislinn |date=18 September 2013 |title=King of Swaziland chooses teenager as 15th wife |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/swaziland/10315849/King-of-Swaziland-chooses-teenager-as-15th-wife.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/swaziland/10315849/King-of-Swaziland-chooses-teenager-as-15th-wife.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |access-date=2 December 2013 |work=The Telegraph |location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bearak |first=Barry |date=5 September 2008 |title=In Destitute Swaziland, Leader Lives Royally |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/06/world/africa/06king.html |access-date=21 July 2021 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Formerly named Swaziland, in 2018 Mswati III renamed the country Eswatini (formally the Kingdom of Eswatini) by decree.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-04-19 |title=Swaziland king renames country 'the Kingdom of eSwatini' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-43821512 |access-date=2023-08-31 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Times Of Swaziland |url=http://www.times.co.sz/news/118373-kingdom-of-eswatini-change-now-official.html |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=www.times.co.sz}}</ref>
==King==
{{Swazi Royal Family}}
He was introduced as Crown Prince in September 1983 and was crowned King on [[April 25]], [[1986]], aged 18 years and 6 days, and thus making him the youngest reigning monarch{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. The king and his mother, whose title is ''Indlovukazi'' (Great She-Elephant), rule jointly.


==Early life==
Today he is Africa's last absolute monarch in the sense that he has the power to choose the prime minister, other top government posts and top traditional posts. Even though he makes the appointments, he still has to get special advice from the queen mother and council, for example when he chooses the [[prime minister]]. When it comes to appointing the cabinet, he gets advice from the prime minister. He inherited a [[rule by decree]], but did restore the nation's Parliament, which had been dissolved by his father due to the chaos of the multiparty system, that was perceived as breaking the country apart at the time considering that the country had just got its independence.
Mswati III was born on 19 April 1968 at Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital, [[Manzini, Eswatini|Manzini]], the son of [[Sobhuza II]] (who had 70 wives during his reign of 82 years).<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2335941.stm | work=BBC News | title='Mother-in-law' sues Swazi king | date=17 October 2002}}</ref>


When King Sobhuza II died on 21 August 1982, the Great Council of State (the ''Liqoqo'') selected the 14-year-old prince Makhosetive to be the next king.<ref>Simelane, Hamilton Sipho. (2005). [https://books.google.com/books?id=Ftz_gtO-pngC&dq=mswati+iii&pg=PA1521 "Swaziland: Reign of Mswati III," in ''Encyclopedia of African History,'' p. 1528.]</ref>
The country has its own type of democracy called the [[Tinkhundla|''Tinkhundla'']] system and has a constitution which allows freedom of assembly and free speech for both the media and the public. The Swaziland media in conferences with other regional media houses (MISA) says it is free to report as it pleases.


==Reign period==
In an attempt to mitigate the [[HIV]] and [[AIDS]] pandemic, the Mswati tried to intervene in the life of his subjects in a unique manner. In 2001, the King used his traditional powers to invoke a time-honoured [[sexual abstinence|chastity]] [[rite]] ([[umcwasho|''umcwasho'']], which encouraged all Swazi maidens to abstain from sexual relations for five years.<ref name="bearak2008"/> This rite (re-introduced after suggestion from NGOs), banned sexual relations for Swazis under 18 years of age from [[9 September]] [[2001]] and [[19 August]] [[2005]] , but in 2005, he violated this decree when he married a 17-year-old girl, who became his 13th wife. As per custom, he was fined a cow by members of her regiment, which he duly paid.
[[File:President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama greet His Majesty King Mswati III, Kingdom of Swaziland, and Her Royal Highness Queen Inkhosikati La Mbikiza.jpg|thumb|Mswati and [[Sibonelo Mngometulu]] with US President [[Barack Obama]] on 5 August 2014]]
[[File:04.17 總統接受贈勳並簽署聯合公報 (40634824045).jpg|thumb|Mswati and [[Taiwan]]ese President [[Tsai Ing-wen]] in Eswatini on 17 April 2018]]
[[File:Shinzo Abe and King Mswati III at the Enthronement of Naruhito (1).jpg|thumb|Mswati with Japanese Prime Minister [[Shinzo Abe]] on 21 October 2019]]
Mswati was introduced as crown prince in September 1983 and was crowned king on 25 April 1986, aged 18 years and 6 days, thus making him one of the youngest reigning monarchs of the late 20th century,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2015-05-28 |title=Five things you didn't know about human rights in Swaziland |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2015/05/five-things-you-didnt-know-about-human-rights-in-swaziland/ |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=Amnesty International |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Shaw |first=Caroline Praderio, Gabbi |title=16 of the youngest monarchs in history |url=https://www.insider.com/youngest-monarchs-in-history-2017-2 |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=Insider |language=en-US}}</ref>


Today King Mswati III is Africa's last absolute monarch in the sense that he has the power to choose the prime minister, other top government posts and top traditional posts. Despite his role in appointing such positions, Mswati is still required to get special advice from the queen mother and council when choosing positions such as prime minister; similarly, in matters of cabinet appointments, Mswati is advised by the prime minister. Mswati [[rule by decree|ruled by decree]], but he chose to restore the nation's Parliament, which had been dissolved by his father in order to ensure concentration of power remained with the king. Parliamentarians are appointed either by Mswati himself (two-thirds of the senators and ten deputies) or elected by traditional chiefs close to power. Close to the evangelical churches, he banned divorce and the wearing of miniskirts.<ref name="Africa's last absolute monarchy">{{Cite web|url=https://mondediplo.com/2018/10/10swaziland|title=Africa's last absolute monarchy|work=Le Monde Diplomatique|first=Alan|last=Vicky|date=October 2018|access-date=19 November 2023}}</ref>
==Succession==
In Swaziland no king can appoint his successor. Only an independent special traditional Council called the Liqoqo decides which of the wives shall be "Great Wife" and "Indlovukazi" (She-Elephant / Queen Mother). The son of this "Great Wife" will automatically become the next king.


In 2006, Mswati promulgated a new constitution that allows freedom of speech and assembly. However, [[Amnesty International]] criticizes that such freedoms are restricted in practice.<ref name=":0" />
The "Great Wife" must only have one son (arguably) and be of good character. Her character affects her child's chances of ascending to the kingship. According to Swazi culture, a son cannot be the heir if his mother is not of good standing. She must not bear the maiden name of Nkhosi-Dlamini and she must not be a ritual wife (i.e. the eldest son is never the heir).<ref name="wayua2002">Wayua, Muli. [http://www.nationaudio.com/News/DailyNation/Supplements/saturday/14122002/story07121.htm "A king, his culture, his wives,"] ''[[Daily Nation]]'' (Nairobi, Kenya). December 7, 2002.</ref>


In an attempt to mitigate the HIV and AIDS pandemic in 2001, the king used his traditional powers to invoke a time-honoured [[sexual abstinence|chastity]] [[Ritual|rite]] (''[[umcwasho]]'') under the patronage of a princess, which encouraged all Swazi maidens to abstain from sexual relations for five years. This was last done under [[Sobhuza II]] in 1971.<ref name="Kuipers">{{cite web |url=http://ozoutback.com.au/Swaziland/mcwasho_71/index.html |title=The uMcwasho Ceremony in 1971 |date=10 March 2014 |website=ozoutback.com.au |first=Ludo |last=Kuipers |publisher=OzOutback |location=Cairns, Queensland, Australia |access-date=26 April 2014 |quote=Photos of the umcwasho Ceremony in 1971, in which girls finish a period of moral restrictions and dance in front of the King.}}</ref> This rite banned sexual relations for Swazis under 18 years of age from 9 September 2001 to 19 August 2005, but just two months after imposing the ban, he violated this decree when a 17-year-old ''liphovela'' (royal fiancée) was chosen,<ref>{{cite news |title=Swazi king drops sex-ban tassels |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4165432.stm |access-date=29 January 2019 |publisher=BBC |date=23 August 2005}}</ref> who became his 13th wife.
===Wives===
The King currently has fourteen wives and 23 children. A Swazi King's first two wives are chosen for him by the national councillors. These two have special functions in rituals and their sons can never claim Kingship. The first wife must be a member of the Matsebula clan, the second of the Motsa clan. According to tradition, he can only marry his fiancées after they have fallen pregnant, proving they can bear heirs. Until then, they are termed ''liphovela'', or "brides".


Mswati has visited [[Taiwan]] seventeen times as of June 2018, and has promised to continue recognizing Taiwan instead of the [[People's Republic of China]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2018/06/09/2003694584 |newspaper=[[Taipei Times]] |title=Swazi king promises loyalty to Taiwan |first=Stacy |last=Hsu |date=9 June 2018}}</ref>
In traditional Swazi culture, the King is expected to marry a woman from every clan in order to cement relationships with each part of Swaziland. This means that the King must have many wives.<ref name="wayua2002"/> In September 2008, Mswati III may choose his 14th wife.<ref>Ndzamela, Phakamisa. [http://www.reuters.com/article/wtMostRead/idUSL148259220080901?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0&sp=true "Bare-breasted virgins compete for Swaziland king,"] Reuters. September 1, 2008.</ref>


Eswatini is predominantly rural and is one of the poorest countries in the world (63% of its population lives below the poverty line). An economic circle of 15,000 businessmen takes most of the country's wealth. This circle includes South African investors who have come to Eswatini to find labour at one-third the cost and a group of white businessmen who are heirs to the British settlers.<ref name="Africa's last absolute monarchy"/>
{{dynamic list}}
* '''''Inkhosikati'' (Queen) LaMatsebula'''&mdash;Ritual wife. Has a degree in Psychology.
**Son: ''HRH Prince Sicalo''
**Son: ''Prince Maveletiveni''
* '''''Inkhosikati'' LaMotsa'''&mdash;Ritual wife. [[United Nations Development Programme]] ([[United Nations Development Programme|UNDP]]) Goodwill Ambassador since 1996.<ref>[[United Nations Development Programme]]: [http://www.undp.org.sz/gallery.htm "UNDP Goodwill Ambassador Her Royal Highness Inkhosikati LaMotsa, speaks at the launch of the MDGs at Matsanjeni,"] 2007.</ref>
**Son: ''Prince Majahonkhe'' (1991)
**Son: "Prince Buhlebenkhosi"
**Son: "Prince Lusuku"
*1986 '''''Inkhosikati'' LaMbikiza'''&mdash;(born [[16 June]] [[1969]] as '''Sibonelo Mngomezulu''') Daughter of Percy Mngomezulu; an [[advocate]], received her degree from [[UNISA]]. LaMbikiza is involved in the Swazi Royal Initiative to Combat AIDS (RICA). The initiative involves the recording of songs by Swazi, [[South Africa]]n and international artists and the proceeds of the sales are allocated to programmes aimed at helping people affected by [[AIDS]].
**Daughter: ''[[Princess Sikhanyiso]] Dlamini'' (1987)
**Son: ''Prince Lindaninkosi Dlamini'' (Lindani) (1989)
* '''''Inkhosikati'' LaNgangaza''' &mdash;(born '''Carol Dlamini''') [Patron of world organisation "Hospice at Home" previously headed by Princess Diana]
**Daughter: ''Princess Temaswati Dlamini'' (1988)
**Daughter: ''Princess Tiyandza Dlamini'' (1992)
**Daughter: ''Princess Tebukhosi Dlamini'' (1994)
* '''Putsoana Hwala'''&mdash;(born 1974 ??) Known as '''''Inkhosikati'' LaHwala''' She left the king on June 24, 2004 and moved to [[South Africa]].<ref name="ndiweni2004">Ndiweni, Sikhumbuzo Ndiweni. [http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/News/0,,2-11-1447_1552577,00.html "Swazi queens revolt,"] 24News.com. July 4, 2004.</ref>
**Son: ''Prince Bandzile'' (1990)
**Daughter: ''Princess Temashayina'' (1994)
* '''Delisa Magwaza'''&mdash;(born 1974 ??) Known as '''''Inkhosikati'' LaMagwaza'''. She also left the king in 2004, after having an affair.<ref name="ndiweni2004"/>
**Daughter: ''Princess Temtsimba Dlamini'' (1992)
**Daughter: ''Princess Sakhizwe Dlamini'' (1999)
*August 2000 '''''Inkhosikati'' LaMasango'''&mdash;(born 1981 ?? as '''Senteni Masango''')
**Daughter: "Princess Sentelweyinhosi" (2000)
**Daughter: "Princess Sibusezweni" (2003)
*December 1998 '''''Inkhosikati'' LaGija'''&mdash;(born '''Angel Dlamini''')
**Daughter: "Princess Yenziwe" (2003)
*June 2002 '''''Inkhosikati'' LaMagongo'''&mdash;(born '''Nontsetselo Magongo''') Niece of Chief Mlobokazana Fakudze, Chief at [[Mgazini]].
**Son: ''Prince Mcwasho'' (2002)
*November 2002 '''''Inkhosikati'' LaMahlangu'''&mdash;(born 1984 as '''Zena Soraya Mahlangu''') (see below)
**Son: ''Prince Saziwangaye'' (2004)
*May 2005 '''''Inkhosikati'' LaNtentesa''' (born 1981 '''Noliqhwa Ayanda Ntentesa'''), betrothed November 2002, married in a traditional function held at Ludzidzini Royal Residence [[May 26]] [[2005]].
*June 2005 '''''Inkhosikati'' LaDube''' (born '''Nothando Dube''') a Miss Teen Swaziland finalist at age 16, chosen at the [[Umhlanga]] (Reed Dance) ceremony on [[August 30]], [[2004]] while she was a grade 9 pupil at Mater Dorolosa High School. Married [[11 June]] 2005.
**Daughter: ''Princess Makhosothando'' (2005)
**Son: "Prince Betive" (2007)
*14 April 2007 '''''Inkhosikati LaNkambule''''' (born '''Phindile Nkambule'''), chosen at the [[Umhlanga]] (Reed Dance) ceremony in 2005.
**Daughter: "Princess Buhlebetive" (2007)


In January 2021, Mswati contracted [[COVID-19 outbreak|COVID-19]], and he later thanked Taiwan for providing antiviral medication that helped with his recovery. Mswati did not disclose that he had been hospitalized until after his recovery.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/2/20/eswatini-king-recovers-from-covid-takes-drugs-sent-by-taiwan |publisher=[[Al Jazeera English]] |date=20 February 2021 |title=Eswatini king recovers from COVID, thanks Taiwan for sending drug}}</ref><ref name="swazilandnews.co.za">{{Cite web|url=http://www.swazilandnews.co.za/fundza.php?nguyiphi=1304|title=News :: The Eswatini News|website=www.swazilandnews.co.za}}</ref>
===Reed Dance===
The Reed Dance is a traditional opportunity for Swaziland's maidens to pay tribute to the Queen Mother. Although the King has used the occasion to choose wives a few times, the ceremony is not about him primarily. The king's own children partake in this event.


In June 2021, the [[2021 Eswatini protests]] broke out against authoritarianism and the suppression of opposition. The [[Communist Party of Swaziland]] alleged he had fled to South Africa on the night of 28–29 June, whereas the Swaziland Solidarity Network claimed he fled to [[Mozambique]]. Both of these claims were denied by acting prime minister [[Themba Nhlanganiso Masuku]].<ref name="swazilandnews.co.za"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/protests-rock-eswatini-govt-denies-reports-that-king-mswati-fled-20210629|title=WATCH &#124; Protests rock eSwatini, govt denies reports that King Mswati fled|first=Compiled by Nicole|last=McCain|website=News24}}</ref>
The annual [[Umhlanga]] Reed Dance is an assembly of about 20,000 young maidens (recently reaching 100,000) who bring tall (4 m) reeds to present to the Queen Mother. These reeds are then used to build windbreaks around the Queen Mother's residence. The Reed Dance usually lasts for a week and he only attends the last day as a sign of respect to his mother. He also uses the occasion to thank the young girls who have travelled long distances to attend the event by slaughtering cows and presenting them with a feast before they return home


== Wives and succession ==
After he selected his 11th wife (an 18-year-old girl chosen at the Reed Dance), the mother of the girl spoke out saying the girl was being held against her will. After remaining unseen inside the royal guest house for two weeks, however, the girl emerged admitting that she had consented to marrying the king.


{{Main|Succession to the Swazi throne}}
[[Image:Mswa-tee.jpg|thumb|300px|Tourists wearing the Mswa-Tees]]
[[File:Meeting with the Queens of the Kingdom of Swaziland by Mrs. Akie Abe July 26, 2013.jpg|thumb|left|Some of his wives meeting [[Akie Abe]], wife of then-Prime Minister of Japan [[Shinzo Abe]], in 2013]]
A popular garment is worn at the Reed Dance known as an "Mswa-Tee" (a play on words of 'Mswati' and 't-shirt') by tourists. The shirts are usually in traditional Swazi colours, with a portrait of the king on the front. These are especially with men in the audience, who also wear the image on traditional robes The maidens themselves wear what is known as "umgagco" and "indlamu" or "sidvwashi". The members of the royal family wear "sichobo" instead of the indlamu. Mswa-Tees are also very popular with tourists.


The king currently has 16 wives and 45 children. An Eswatini king's first two wives are chosen for him by the national councillors. There are complex rules on succession. Traditionally the king is chosen through his mother as represented in the Swazi saying ''Inkhosi, yinkhosi ngenina'', meaning "a king is king through his mother".<ref name=Kgsh1>{{cite journal| title=A ritual of kingship among the Swazi| author=Hilda Kuper| journal=Journal of the International African Institute|volume=14|number=5| year=1944}}</ref>
==Criticism==
Mswati's reign has brought some changes in the government and political transformation, but in service of one objective: strengthening and perpetuating the traditional order. Political transformation and democratization have been construed as threats to the monarchy. The king's reluctance to allow political participation within the framework of a modern state structure has positioned Swaziland in a precarious balance as a majority of African states are continuing to evolve away from absolutism.<ref>Simelane, [http://books.google.com/books?id=Ftz_gtO-pngC&pg=PA1521&dq=mswati+iii&client=firefox-a&sig=ACfU3U1mXfP2a6AEMozoXkfZenSyL1_BDw#PPA1530,M1 p. 1530.]</ref>


==Controversies==
Mswati has been criticized for his lifestyle, especially by the media. In 2005 he purchased a $500,000 luxury car which it turned out was paid for from his own pocket. According to the former king's office CEO, the King of Swaziland earns a high salary as Head of State, has investments within the country and elsewhere, owns an unspecified amount of shares in different companies within Swaziland. His moves towards a western-type democracy have been slow, and calls for democracy by banned political parties keep rising. A few years ago, moves were made to buy him and the Queen mother an executive jet, but this was abandoned because the legislature was totally against the idea.
Mswati's reign has brought some changes in the government and political transformation. However, critics such as the [[People's United Democratic Movement]] (PUDEMO)<ref name="PUDEMO">{{cite web |url=http://pudemo.org/images/Secretary_Generals_Historical_Documents/pudemo%20rejects%20the%20dlamini%20family%20constitution.pdf |title=PUDEMO rejects the Dlamini family constitution as it is meant to legitimize the continued oppression of our people by one family, King Mswati's family |author=People's United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) |author-link=People's United Democratic Movement |last2=Dlamini |first2=Ignatius Bonginkosi |date=31 July 2005 |website=pudemo.org |publisher=PUDEMO |location=Swaziland |access-date=26 April 2014 }}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> believe that these changes are solely aimed at strengthening and perpetuating the traditional order.<ref name="ISS">{{cite web |url=http://www.iss.co.za/uploads/SWAZIJUN03.PDF |title=Swaziland: The King's Constitution |last=Maroleng |first=Chris |date=26 June 2003 |website=iss.co.za |publisher=[[European Union Institute for Security Studies]] |location=Paris, France |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120808190714/http://www.iss.co.za/uploads/SWAZIJUN03.PDF |archive-date=8 August 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=26 April 2014}}</ref> His attendance at the May 2012 Sovereign Monarchs lunch, to celebrate the [[Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II|Diamond Jubilee]] of [[Queen Elizabeth II]], caused some controversy, given criticisms of his regime's human rights record.<ref name="Telegraph 2012-05-18">{{cite news |last1=The Daily Telegraph |author-link1=The Daily Telegraph |date=18 May 2012 |title=King of Bahrain lunches with Queen as human rights storm rages |journal=The Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/queen-elizabeth-II/9274690/King-of-Bahrain-lunches-with-Queen-as-human-rights-storm-rages.html |department=UK News |location=London, UK |issn=0307-1235 |oclc=49632006 |access-date=26 April 2014}}</ref>


Mswati's reign has been criticized for its several alleged human rights violations. His regime has been accused of using torture and excessive force to control the masses as well as blatant discrimination against various dissenting groups. His regime has been accused of extrajudicial killings by his forces, along with arbitrary arrests, detentions, and unwarranted searches and seizures of homes and property. His government has restricted freedom of speech, assembly and association, and has harassed activists and journalists. The government has reportedly targeted the LGBT community, labour leaders, and activists against child labour, among other groups. The courts took little or no action to punish Mswati's actions or the officials who committed the abuses.<ref>{{cite web| title =Swaziland| work =United States Department of State| url =https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186458.pdf}}</ref>
The King has received large amounts of criticism for his mishandling of the HIV/AIDS crisis that has devastated much of Swaziland. In the year 2000, he announced in a parliamentary debate that all HIV+ people should be "sterilized and branded". In 2001, the King's ''umcwasho'' response to the health crisis produced unanticipated consequences{{ndash}} an increase in prostitution, decline in marriage, and an increase in abortions and infanticide.<ref>AEgis.com: [http://www.aegis.com/news/afrol/2001/AO011101.html "Sex ban for young Swazi women provokes side effects,"] afrol News. November 26, 2001.</ref> At a time when more than one third of the country was HIV+ hunger was spreading<ref>afrol.com: [http://www.afrol.com/News2002/swa006_mswati_jet2.htm "No luxury jet for Swazi King,''] afrol News. October 18, 2002.</ref>, King Mswati attempted to use $45 million of the government's money to buy a private jet. The amount was equivalent to the amount the government budgeted for health care for the entire population during a two-year period.<ref>afrol.com: [http://www.afrol.com/News2002/swa004_mswati_jet.htm "Swazi King spends two health budgets on airplane,"] afrol News. July 7, 2002.</ref>


Mswati has been accused of kidnapping women he desires to marry.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2002-11-04 |title=Swaziland's Royal Bridal Mess - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/swazilands-royal-bridal-mess/ |access-date=2023-08-29 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Grunwald |first=Michael |date=2002-11-06 |title=Changing What It Means to Be Swazi |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2002/11/06/changing-what-it-means-to-be-swazi/8225f236-fd31-40e6-9828-0e4fb897b40e/ |access-date=2023-08-29 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> In addition, in 2000 he allegedly called for a parliamentary meeting to debate if HIV-positive people should be "sterilized and branded".<ref name=mav/>
For a number of years now the international media and community have labeled the King of Swaziland an “absolute monarch”, and tended to regard him as a dictator. Supporters of the King argue that although he is to some extent not bound by the Constitution, he is bound by tradition and shares power with the Queen Mother, and is therefore not an "absolute" monarch. Supporters of the King also claim that both the King and the [[Tinkhundla]] system are popular in Swaziland, and represent the wishes of the people.


===Wealth===
An unofficial referendum was held by the constitutional draft committee headed by Prince David during the process of drafting the constitution. Before then, two more were held by Vusela, a committee that was headed by Prince Mahlalengangeni, and another unofficial referendum, which was headed by Prince Mangaliso. However critics argue that there has never been an actual or official referendum which was held prior to the introduction of the new constitution.
[[File:King Mswati III, 2006.jpg|thumb|King Mswati at the [[Umhlanga (ceremony)|Reed Dance]] 2006]]
Mswati has been criticized for his lavish lifestyle, especially by the media; in one report he was accused of living a luxurious lifestyle while the people of his country starve.<ref name=tel18may>{{cite news|title=King of Bahrain lunches with Queen as human rights storm rages|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/queen-elizabeth-II/9274690/King-of-Bahrain-lunches-with-Queen-as-human-rights-storm-rages.html|access-date=10 April 2013|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=18 May 2012}}</ref><ref>[http://oleafrica.com/recent-post/king-mswati-is-bankrupting-swaziland-mornachy-not-for-africa/2777 King Mswati is Bankrupting Swaziland: Mornachy not for Africa!] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120517021833/http://oleafrica.com/recent-post/king-mswati-is-bankrupting-swaziland-mornachy-not-for-africa/2777 |date=17 May 2012 }}, ''Ole Africa''</ref> In the 2014 national budget, parliament allocated $61 million (US) for the King's annual household budget,<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/14/king-mswati-iii-swaziland-increases-household-budget King of impoverished Swaziland increases household budget to $61m], Agence France-Presse in Mbabane, 15 May 2014, ''The Guardian''</ref> while 63% of Swazis live on less than $1.25 per day.<ref>[http://www.sz.undp.org/content/swaziland/en/home/countryinfo/ UNDP] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140805160350/http://www.sz.undp.org/content/swaziland/en/home/countryinfo/ |date=5 August 2014 }}, About Swaziland</ref> Mswati banned photography of his automobiles after he was criticized for purchasing luxury cars, such as a $500,000 DaimlerChrysler [[Maybach 62]].<ref>[http://www.citypress.co.za/SouthAfrica/News/Now-only-Mswati-owns-a-Maybach-20100614 Now only Mswati owns a Maybach!] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127143005/http://www.citypress.co.za/SouthAfrica/News/Now-only-Mswati-owns-a-Maybach-20100614 |date=27 November 2012 }}, ''City Press'', 25 January 2009</ref> According to the Forbes 2009 list of the World's 15 Richest Royals, King Mswati is worth a reported $200 million.<ref name=":2">{{cite news| url= https://www.forbes.com/global/2008/0901/038.html | work=Forbes | first=Tatiana | last=Serafin | title=The World's Richest Royals | date=17 June 2009}}</ref> In January 2004 the ''[[Times of Swaziland]]'' reported that the king asked his government to spend about $15-million to redecorate three main palaces and build others for each of his 11 wives.<ref name="R100">{{cite news|url=http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=128&fArticleId=323589|title=king needs R100m for palaces for 13 wives|date=13 April 2011|work=[[Cape Argus]]|location=South Africa|access-date=13 April 2011}}</ref> The Prime Minister's Office issued a press statement saying the article in the ''Times of Swaziland'' was "reckless and untrue" and that the proposal was for the construction of 5 State Houses, not Palaces, and the cost was only €19.9 million.<ref name="pmo">{{cite web|url=http://www.gov.sz/home.asp?pid=3804 |title=The Issue of "€1 Million Spent on Princess Sikhanyiso" and The Issue of "Building" Royal Palaces by Swaziland Government |date=26 January 2004 |publisher=Prime Ministers Office |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071126001057/http://www.gov.sz/home.asp?pid=3804 |archive-date=26 November 2007 |url-status=dead |access-date=26 April 2014}}</ref> Later that year the go-ahead was given to build five new buildings at a cost of more than $4-million out of [[Government spending|public funds]].<ref name="goahead">{{cite news|url=http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=84&art_id=qw1090765262958B224|title=Swazi king gets go ahead for wives' palaces|date=25 July 2004|newspaper=[[Independent Online]]|access-date=21 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430180521/http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1|archive-date=30 April 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> In August 2008, hundreds of Swazi women marched through the capital to protest the cost of a shopping spree taken abroad by nine of the King's thirteen wives.<ref name="Swazi anger at royal wives' trip">{{Cite news |date=2008-08-21 |title=Swazi anger at royal wives' trip|work=BBC News |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7574824.stm |access-date=2023-07-28}}</ref> The demonstration was organised by Positive Living, a non-governmental organisation for Swazi women with AIDS, and protesters submitted a petition to the finance minister arguing that the money should have been differently spent.<ref name="Swazi anger at royal wives' trip"/>


Mswati owns a collection of bespoke watches worth millions of dollars.<ref name=":3" />
The polemics that surround the Swazi Royal Family do not end with Mswati. In January 2006, Mswati's elder brother, Prince Mbuyisa Dlamini, was sent to jail for the rape of his nine-year-old niece, his sister's grandchild.<ref>News24.com: [http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/News/0,6119,2-11-1447_1866908,00.html "King's brother jailed for rape,"] ''[[Beeld]]'' (Praetoria). January 20, 2006.</ref>


Mswati has a personal stake in a large portion of Eswatini's economy which is a factor in its below-average economic growth for a Sub-Saharan nation. As an absolute monarch, he holds the power to dissolve parties, and can veto any legislation parliament passes.<ref name="mav">{{cite web| last =Davis| first =Rebecca| title =King Mswati to WEF: Swazi people don't want change| work =Daily Maverick| date =10 May 2013| url =http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2013-05-10-king-mswati-to-wef-swazi-people-dont-want-change/}}</ref>
In August 2008, Swazi women marched through the capital protesting the cost of a shopping trip taken abroad by nine of the king's 13 wives. The demonstration was organised by Positive Living, a non-governmental organization for women with AIDS.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7574824.stm "Swazi anger at royal wives' trip,"] BBC News. August 21, 2008.</ref>


====LaMahlangu controversy====
===LaMahlangu controversy===
High School student Zena Mahlangu disappeared from her school in October 2002. Her mother, Lindiwe Dlamini, learned that her daughter had been taken by two men, Qethuka Sgombeni Dlamini and Tulujani Sikhondze, and she reported the matter to the police. Some time later, she was told that her daughter was at the Royal Palace at [[Ludzidzini]] and was being prepared to be the next wife of the king.<ref>[[Amnesty International]]: [http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGAFR550042004?open&of=ENG-SWZ "Swaziland: Human rights at risk in a climate of political and legal uncertainty,"Index No. AFR 55/004/2004.] July 29, 2004.</ref> She demanded that her daughter be returned to her custody, and threatened to sue.


According to accusations by [[Amnesty International]], [[Zena Mahlangu]], an 18-year-old high school student, disappeared from her school in October 2002. Her mother, Lindiwe Dlamini, learned that her daughter had been taken by two men, Qethuka Sgombeni Dlamini and Tulujani Sikhondze, and she reported the matter to the police. Some time later, she was told that her daughter was at [[Ludzidzini Royal Village]] and was being prepared to be the next wife of the king.<ref>[[Amnesty International]]: [https://web.archive.org/web/20041013054919/http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGAFR550042004?open&of=ENG-SWZ "Swaziland: Human rights at risk in a climate of political and legal uncertainty,"Index No. AFR 55/004/2004.] 29 July 2004.</ref>
Among the criteria for a future ''Inkhosikati'', the girl must not be disabled, or a twin; Liphovela LaMahlangu was the other half of a brother-sister twin set.<ref name="wayua2002"/>


Among the criteria for a ''liphovela'' (future bride) is that the girl must not be a twin; Zena Mahlangu was half of a brother-sister twin set, and therefore not eligible.<ref name="wayua2002">Wayua, Muli. [http://www.nationaudio.com/News/DailyNation/Supplements/saturday/14122002/story07121.htm "A king, his culture, his wives,"] ''[[Daily Nation]]'' (Nairobi, Kenya). 7 December 2002.</ref> The matter went to the High Court, but Swaziland's Attorney-General [[Phesheya Dlamini]] intervened.<ref name=":1" />
Zena was 18 and had agreed to be taken by the King, but remained silent. The matter went to the High Court, but Swaziland Attorney-General [[Phesheya Dlamini]] intervened.<ref>[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/11/04/world/main528049.shtml "Swaziland's Royal Bridal Mess,"] CBS News. November 4, 2002.</ref> Mahlangu was announced as engaged to King Mswati in November, and she stayed at the Royal Palace. She was officially made King Mswati's bride in a traditional marriage ceremony in May 2004 and the mother officially dropped the case after it became clear that Zena had gone to the palace out of her own free will and had no intention of returning home because she considered herself to be in love with the King.


== Country name change ==
On 19 April 2018, King Mswati III changed the name of the country from [[Swaziland]] to Eswatini to mark its 50th anniversary of independence.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.un.org/en/member-states/index.html|title=Member States &#124; United Nations|website=www.un.org}}</ref> The name change coincided with the king's birthday. The actual anniversary took place on 6 September, though in the same year. Eswatini is the ancient, original name for the country, chosen as a departure from its colonial past.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://allafrica.com/view/group/main/main/id/00060418.html|title=King Renames Swaziland to its 'Ancient', Pre-Colonial Name|date=20 April 2018|website=allAfrica.com}}</ref>


==Honours==
'''"Akukhanyanwe" Speech 2008'''
[[File:Royal Standard of Swaziland.svg|thumbnail|Royal standard of Mswati III]]


=== National ===
In the later part of 2008, Mswati III again became embroiled in another controversy, this time at the traditional cattle byre - the traditional national proclamation forum. The king, acting on police reports that the banned political parties were hell-bent on terrorist activities around the country after a failed bid to destroy the Lozitha bridge. Visibly angry, the king authorized the use of deadly force towards anyone suspected of terrorism and practically placed these organisations in the terrorism list, under powers granted by the newly enacted terror law. This caused great outrage around this tiny kingdom, as a lot of people felt that the king was out of order by issuing this decree in anger. They felt he should have paid attention to the issues raised by the political parties.
* {{flag|Eswatini}}: Grand Master of the Royal Order of King Sobhuza II (1986).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.coleccionesmilitares.com/cintas/africa/swazilandia1.gif|title=Decorations of Swaziland}}</ref>
* {{flag|Eswatini}}: Grand Master of the Royal Order of the Great She-Elephant (2002).
* {{flag|Eswatini}}: Grand Master of the Royal Order of the Crown (2002).
* {{flag|Eswatini}}: Grand Master of the Royal Family Order of Mswati III (2002).
* {{flag|Eswatini}}: Grand Master of the Military Order of Swaziland (2002).
* {{flag|Eswatini}}: Grand Master of the Order of the Elephant (2018).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.taiwanembassy.org/sz_en/post/2808.html#:~:text=After+the+talks,+King+Mswati,cooperation+between+Taiwan+and+Swaziland|title=President Tsai meets King Mswati III of Swaziland, attends state banquet|first=Internet|last=Team|website=Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in the Kingdom of Eswatini 駐史瓦帝尼王國大使館}}</ref>


=== Foreign ===
In a later response, the traditional prime minister, Jim Gama, caused further outrage by banning the use of the phrase "akukhanyanwe" ostensibly because it suggests disrespect for the king, a move that directly conflicts with the constitutionally protected freedom of speech. The king's detractors are now pointing at this as the latest piece of evidence of the lack of democratically exercised and constitutionally protected civil liberties in the country.
* {{flag|United Kingdom}}: Knight of the [[Venerable Order of St John]] (11 November 1991).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/52712/page/17188|title=Page 17188 &#124; Issue 52712, 11 November 1991 &#124; London Gazette &#124; The Gazette|website=www.thegazette.co.uk}}</ref>
* {{flag|South Africa}}: Knight Grand Cross of the [[Order of Good Hope]] (August 1995).<ref>[http://www.info.gov.za/aboutgovt/orders/recipients/1995.htm 1995 National Orders Awards] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022015347/http://www.info.gov.za/aboutgovt/orders/recipients/1995.htm |date=22 October 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://journals.co.za/docserver/fulltext/indisa/12/4/1143.pdf?expires=1488119184&id=id&accname=guest&checksum=13CFF7E4204CE4968ACB603CDDA0762A|title=Info.gov.za}}</ref>


==Notes==
== See also ==
*''[[Without the King]]'', 2007 documentary film featuring Mswati III and his daughter [[Sikhanyiso Dlamini|Princess Sikhanyiso]].
{{reflist|2}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
* Ginidza, Zodwa R. (1986). [http://books.google.com/books?id=m2dmAAAACAAJ&dq=mswati+iii&client=firefox-a ''Umntfwana!: A Pictorial Biography of the New King of Swaziland.''] Swaziland: Macmillan Swaziland National Pub. Co. 10-ISBN 0-333-40303-7, 13-ISBN 978-0-333-40303-7 [http://www.worldcat.org/wcpa/oclc/16874145 OCLC 16874145]

* Levin, Richard and Hugh MacMillan. (2003). [http://books.google.com/books?id=jj4J-AXGDaQC&printsec=frontcover&dq=mswati+iii&client=firefox-a&source=gbs_summary_r&cad=0#PPA1094,M1 "Swaziland: Recent History,"] in [http://books.google.com/books?id=jj4J-AXGDaQC&dq=mswati+iii&client=firefox-a&source=gbs_summary_s&cad=0 ''Africa South of the Sahara 2004.''] London: [[Routledge]]. 1-ISBN 1-857-43183-9; 13-ISBN 978-1-857-43183-4
==Bibliography==
* Simelane, Hamilton Sipho. (2005). [http://books.google.com/books?id=Ftz_gtO-pngC&pg=PA1521&dq=mswati+iii&client=firefox-a&sig=ACfU3U1mXfP2a6AEMozoXkfZenSyL1_BDw#PPA1528,M1 "Swaziland: Reign of Mswati III," pp. 1528]-1530, in [http://books.google.com/books?id=Ftz_gtO-pngC&dq=mswati+iii&client=firefox-a&source=gbs_summary_s&cad=0 ''Encyclopedia of African History,''] Kevin Shillington, ed. London: [[CRC Press]]. 10-ISBN 1-579-58245-1; 13-ISBN 978-1-579-58245-6
* Ginidza, Zodwa R. (1986). [https://books.google.com/books?id=m2dmAAAACAAJ&q=mswati+iii ''Umntfwana!: A Pictorial Biography of the New King of Swaziland.''] Swaziland: Macmillan Swaziland National Pub. Co. {{ISBN|978-0-333-40303-7}} [http://www.worldcat.org/wcpa/oclc/16874145 OCLC 16874145]
* Levin, Richard and Hugh MacMillan. (2003). [https://books.google.com/books?id=jj4J-AXGDaQC&q=mswati+iii "Swaziland: Recent History,"] in [https://books.google.com/books?id=jj4J-AXGDaQC&q=mswati+iii ''Africa South of the Sahara 2004.''] London: [[Routledge]]. {{ISBN|978-1-85743-183-4}}
* Simelane, Hamilton Sipho. (2005). [https://books.google.com/books?id=Ftz_gtO-pngC&dq=mswati+iii&pg=PA1521 "Swaziland: Reign of Mswati III," pp. 1528]-1530, in [https://books.google.com/books?id=Ftz_gtO-pngC&q=mswati+iii ''Encyclopedia of African History,''] Kevin Shillington, ed. London: [[CRC Press]]. {{ISBN|978-1-57958-245-6}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[http://www.prominentpeople.co.za/people/5.php Prominent People: King Mswati III]
{{wikiquote}}
*[http://www.swazi.com/king/king.html Swazi King's Birthday features]

*[https://web.archive.org/web/20200811213649/http://www.thekingofswaziland.com/ Archived copy of "the Official Website of Swaziland Monarchy"]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20031207071506/http://www.swazi.com/king/king.html Swazi King's Birthday features]
*[http://www.uq.net.au/~zzhsoszy/states/southafrica/swaziland.html Swazi Royal Family Tree]
*[http://www.uq.net.au/~zzhsoszy/states/southafrica/swaziland.html Swazi Royal Family Tree]
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1692217.stm BBC News: Troubled King Mswati]
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1692217.stm BBC News: Troubled King Mswati]
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/homepage/int/news/-/mediaselector/check/nolavconsole/ukfs_news/hi?redirect=fs.stm&nbram=1&bbram=1&nbwm=1&bbwm=1&news=1&nol_storyid=5325886 Swaziland king picks wife - BBC Video]
*[https://www.bbc.co.uk/go/homepage/int/news/-/mediaselector/check/nolavconsole/ukfs_news/hi?redirect=fs.stm&nbram=1&bbram=1&nbwm=1&bbwm=1&news=1&nol_storyid=5325886 Swaziland king picks wife – BBC Video]
*[https://www.un.org/ga/63/generaldebate/swaziland.shtml King Mswati III's address to the 63rd session of the United Nations General Assembly], 25 September 2008
*[http://www.kingofswaziland.com King of Swaziland Dotcom]
*[https://movies.nytimes.com/2008/04/25/movies/25king.html An Extravagant Ruler of a Modest Kingdom – New York Times Movie review]
*[http://www.un.org/ga/63/generaldebate/swaziland.shtml King Mswati III's address to the 63rd session of the United Nations General Assembly], September 25, 2008
*[http://movies.nytimes.com/2008/04/25/movies/25king.html An Extravagant Ruler of a Modest Kingdom - New York Times Movie review]
* [https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/06/world/africa/06king.html In Destitute Kingdom, Ruler Lives Like a King]
* {{IMDb name|id=2602220|name=His Majesty King Mswati III}}
* [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/06/world/africa/06king.html In Destitute Kingdom, Ruler Lives Like a King]
* {{imdb name|id=2602220|name=His Majesty King Mswati III}}
* {{IMDb title|id=0997233|title=Without the king}}
* {{imdb title|id=0997233|title=Without the king}}
<br />


{{s-start}}
{{Orders of succession by country}}
{{s-reg}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Ntfombi of Eswatini|Ntfombi]]|as=[[Ndlovukati]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Ngwenyama|King of Eswatini]]|years=1986–present}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-end}}


{{Swazi Monarchs}}
{{Current sovereigns}}
{{Portalbar|Africa|Biography|Politics}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mswati 03 Of Swaziland}}
[[Category:1968 births]]
[[Category:1968 births]]
[[Category:Swazi monarchs]]
[[Category:Current national leaders]]
[[Category:Polygamy]]
[[Category:Reigning monarchs]]
[[Category:Old Shirburnians|Mswati III]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Swazi Christians]]

[[da:Mswati 3.]]
[[Category:Swazi monarchs]]
[[Category:20th-century politicians]]
[[de:Mswati III.]]
[[Category:21st-century politicians]]
[[et:Mswati III]]
[[Category:20th-century monarchs in Africa]]
[[el:Μσουάτι Γ΄]]
[[Category:21st-century monarchs in Africa]]
[[es:Mswati III de Suazilandia]]
[[Category:People from Manzini]]
[[fr:Mswati III du Swaziland]]
[[Category:People educated at Sherborne School|Mswati III]]
[[gl:Mswati III de Suacilandia]]
[[Category:Polygamy in Africa]]
[[ko:스와질란드의 음스와티 3세]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of Good Hope]]
[[hr:Mswati III.]]
[[id:Mswati III dari Swaziland]]
[[it:Mswati III dello Swaziland]]
[[lv:Msvati III]]
[[nl:Mswati III]]
[[ja:ムスワティ3世]]
[[no:Mswati III av Swaziland]]
[[pms:Mswati III dlë Swaziland]]
[[pl:Mswati III]]
[[pt:Mswati III da Suazilândia]]
[[ru:Мсвати III]]
[[ss:Mswati III]]
[[sr:Краљ Мсвати III]]
[[fi:Mswati III]]
[[sv:Mswati III]]
[[zh:姆斯瓦蒂三世]]

Latest revision as of 20:02, 31 December 2024

Mswati III
Ngwenyama
Mswati III in 2024
King of Eswatini
Reign25 April 1986 – present
Coronation25 April 1986
PredecessorSobhuza II
BornMakhosetive
(1968-04-19) 19 April 1968 (age 56)
Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital, Manzini, Swaziland Protectorate
Spouses
16 wives concurrently
  • Nomsah Matsebula (first)
    Sindi Motsa (second)
    Sibonelo Mngometulu (third)
    LaNgangaza (Carol Dlamini) (fourth, since 1987)
    Putsoana Hwala (fifth)
    Delisa Magwaza (sixth, since 1993, b. 1973)
    LaGija (Angela Dlamini) (seventh, since 1998, b. 1979)
    Senteni Masango (eighth)
    Nontsetselo Magongo (ninth, since 2002, b. 1985)
    Zena Mahlangu (tenth, since 2002)
    Noliqhwa Ayanda Ntentesa (eleventh, since 2005, b. 1981)
    Nothando Dube (twelfth, since 2005)
    Phindile Nkambule (thirteenth, since 2007, b. 1990)
    Sindiswa Dlamini (fourteenth, since 2012, b. 1995)
    Siphelele Mashwama (fifteenth, since 2019, b. 1998)
    Nomcebo Zuma (sixteenth, since 2024, b. 2003)
Issue45 children
HouseDlamini
FatherSobhuza II
MotherNtfombi Tfwala
ReligionChristianity[1]
SignatureMswati III's signature

Mswati III (born Makhosetive; 19 April 1968)[2] is the Ngwenyama (King) of Eswatini and head of the Swazi royal family. He heads an absolute monarchy, as he has veto power over all branches of government and is constitutionally immune from prosecution.[3][4]

He was born in Manzini in the Protectorate of Swaziland to King Sobhuza II and one of his younger wives, Ntfombi Tfwala.[5] He was crowned as Mswati III, Ingwenyama and King of Swaziland, on 25 April 1986 at the age of 18, thus becoming the youngest ruling monarch in the world at that time.

With unrestricted political power and able to rule by decree, Mswati III (together with his mother, Ntfombi Tfwala, now Queen Mother [Ndlovukati]) is the last remaining absolute monarch in Africa and one of the only 12 remaining absolute national or subnational monarchs in the world.[6] Under the constitution, the king is the commander-in-chief of the defence force and commissioner-in-chief of police and correctional services and Mswati III exercises ultimate authority over all branches of the national government and effectively controls local governance through his influence over traditional chiefs.[7][8]

Under his reign, political dissent and civic and labor activism are subject to harsh punishment under sedition and other laws.[9] Political parties have been banned in Eswatini since 1973 when King Sobhuza II declared a state of emergency that has continued ever since.[10] Pro-democracy protests from 2021 onwards have been violently dispersed and political activists have been arrested, subjected to torture and other ill-treatment, and their homes have been raided by security forces.[11][12] The government exercises total control over the broadcast media, including the only privately owned TV channel, which belongs to the royal family. Almost all media outlets are controlled, directly or indirectly, by Mswati III.

Mswati III lives an opulent and lavish lifestyle which stands in sharp contrast to the lives of most Emaswazi people.[13][14][15][16][17][18] In 2022, an estimated 32% of the population lived below the $2.15/day international poverty line (measured by price-purchasing parity (PPP) in 2017) while 55% of the population was under the lower-middle-income country poverty line of $3.65/day.[19] Mswati III is known for his practice of polygamy (although at least two wives are appointed by the state) and currently has 16 wives.[20][21] Formerly named Swaziland, in 2018 Mswati III renamed the country Eswatini (formally the Kingdom of Eswatini) by decree.[22][23]

Early life

[edit]

Mswati III was born on 19 April 1968 at Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital, Manzini, the son of Sobhuza II (who had 70 wives during his reign of 82 years).[24]

When King Sobhuza II died on 21 August 1982, the Great Council of State (the Liqoqo) selected the 14-year-old prince Makhosetive to be the next king.[25]

Reign period

[edit]
Mswati and Sibonelo Mngometulu with US President Barack Obama on 5 August 2014
Mswati and Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in Eswatini on 17 April 2018
Mswati with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on 21 October 2019

Mswati was introduced as crown prince in September 1983 and was crowned king on 25 April 1986, aged 18 years and 6 days, thus making him one of the youngest reigning monarchs of the late 20th century,[26][27]

Today King Mswati III is Africa's last absolute monarch in the sense that he has the power to choose the prime minister, other top government posts and top traditional posts. Despite his role in appointing such positions, Mswati is still required to get special advice from the queen mother and council when choosing positions such as prime minister; similarly, in matters of cabinet appointments, Mswati is advised by the prime minister. Mswati ruled by decree, but he chose to restore the nation's Parliament, which had been dissolved by his father in order to ensure concentration of power remained with the king. Parliamentarians are appointed either by Mswati himself (two-thirds of the senators and ten deputies) or elected by traditional chiefs close to power. Close to the evangelical churches, he banned divorce and the wearing of miniskirts.[28]

In 2006, Mswati promulgated a new constitution that allows freedom of speech and assembly. However, Amnesty International criticizes that such freedoms are restricted in practice.[26]

In an attempt to mitigate the HIV and AIDS pandemic in 2001, the king used his traditional powers to invoke a time-honoured chastity rite (umcwasho) under the patronage of a princess, which encouraged all Swazi maidens to abstain from sexual relations for five years. This was last done under Sobhuza II in 1971.[29] This rite banned sexual relations for Swazis under 18 years of age from 9 September 2001 to 19 August 2005, but just two months after imposing the ban, he violated this decree when a 17-year-old liphovela (royal fiancée) was chosen,[30] who became his 13th wife.

Mswati has visited Taiwan seventeen times as of June 2018, and has promised to continue recognizing Taiwan instead of the People's Republic of China.[31]

Eswatini is predominantly rural and is one of the poorest countries in the world (63% of its population lives below the poverty line). An economic circle of 15,000 businessmen takes most of the country's wealth. This circle includes South African investors who have come to Eswatini to find labour at one-third the cost and a group of white businessmen who are heirs to the British settlers.[28]

In January 2021, Mswati contracted COVID-19, and he later thanked Taiwan for providing antiviral medication that helped with his recovery. Mswati did not disclose that he had been hospitalized until after his recovery.[32][33]

In June 2021, the 2021 Eswatini protests broke out against authoritarianism and the suppression of opposition. The Communist Party of Swaziland alleged he had fled to South Africa on the night of 28–29 June, whereas the Swaziland Solidarity Network claimed he fled to Mozambique. Both of these claims were denied by acting prime minister Themba Nhlanganiso Masuku.[33][34]

Wives and succession

[edit]
Main article: Succession to the Swazi throne
Some of his wives meeting Akie Abe, wife of then-Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe, in 2013

The king currently has 16 wives and 45 children. An Eswatini king's first two wives are chosen for him by the national councillors. There are complex rules on succession. Traditionally the king is chosen through his mother as represented in the Swazi saying Inkhosi, yinkhosi ngenina, meaning "a king is king through his mother".[35]

Controversies

[edit]

Mswati's reign has brought some changes in the government and political transformation. However, critics such as the People's United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO)[36] believe that these changes are solely aimed at strengthening and perpetuating the traditional order.[37] His attendance at the May 2012 Sovereign Monarchs lunch, to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, caused some controversy, given criticisms of his regime's human rights record.[38]

Mswati's reign has been criticized for its several alleged human rights violations. His regime has been accused of using torture and excessive force to control the masses as well as blatant discrimination against various dissenting groups. His regime has been accused of extrajudicial killings by his forces, along with arbitrary arrests, detentions, and unwarranted searches and seizures of homes and property. His government has restricted freedom of speech, assembly and association, and has harassed activists and journalists. The government has reportedly targeted the LGBT community, labour leaders, and activists against child labour, among other groups. The courts took little or no action to punish Mswati's actions or the officials who committed the abuses.[39]

Mswati has been accused of kidnapping women he desires to marry.[40][41] In addition, in 2000 he allegedly called for a parliamentary meeting to debate if HIV-positive people should be "sterilized and branded".[42]

Wealth

[edit]
King Mswati at the Reed Dance 2006

Mswati has been criticized for his lavish lifestyle, especially by the media; in one report he was accused of living a luxurious lifestyle while the people of his country starve.[43][44] In the 2014 national budget, parliament allocated $61 million (US) for the King's annual household budget,[45] while 63% of Swazis live on less than $1.25 per day.[46] Mswati banned photography of his automobiles after he was criticized for purchasing luxury cars, such as a $500,000 DaimlerChrysler Maybach 62.[47] According to the Forbes 2009 list of the World's 15 Richest Royals, King Mswati is worth a reported $200 million.[15] In January 2004 the Times of Swaziland reported that the king asked his government to spend about $15-million to redecorate three main palaces and build others for each of his 11 wives.[14] The Prime Minister's Office issued a press statement saying the article in the Times of Swaziland was "reckless and untrue" and that the proposal was for the construction of 5 State Houses, not Palaces, and the cost was only €19.9 million.[13] Later that year the go-ahead was given to build five new buildings at a cost of more than $4-million out of public funds.[48] In August 2008, hundreds of Swazi women marched through the capital to protest the cost of a shopping spree taken abroad by nine of the King's thirteen wives.[49] The demonstration was organised by Positive Living, a non-governmental organisation for Swazi women with AIDS, and protesters submitted a petition to the finance minister arguing that the money should have been differently spent.[49]

Mswati owns a collection of bespoke watches worth millions of dollars.[4]

Mswati has a personal stake in a large portion of Eswatini's economy which is a factor in its below-average economic growth for a Sub-Saharan nation. As an absolute monarch, he holds the power to dissolve parties, and can veto any legislation parliament passes.[42]

LaMahlangu controversy

[edit]

According to accusations by Amnesty International, Zena Mahlangu, an 18-year-old high school student, disappeared from her school in October 2002. Her mother, Lindiwe Dlamini, learned that her daughter had been taken by two men, Qethuka Sgombeni Dlamini and Tulujani Sikhondze, and she reported the matter to the police. Some time later, she was told that her daughter was at Ludzidzini Royal Village and was being prepared to be the next wife of the king.[50]

Among the criteria for a liphovela (future bride) is that the girl must not be a twin; Zena Mahlangu was half of a brother-sister twin set, and therefore not eligible.[51] The matter went to the High Court, but Swaziland's Attorney-General Phesheya Dlamini intervened.[40]

Country name change

[edit]

On 19 April 2018, King Mswati III changed the name of the country from Swaziland to Eswatini to mark its 50th anniversary of independence.[52] The name change coincided with the king's birthday. The actual anniversary took place on 6 September, though in the same year. Eswatini is the ancient, original name for the country, chosen as a departure from its colonial past.[53]

Honours

[edit]
Royal standard of Mswati III

National

[edit]
  •  Eswatini: Grand Master of the Royal Order of King Sobhuza II (1986).[54]
  •  Eswatini: Grand Master of the Royal Order of the Great She-Elephant (2002).
  •  Eswatini: Grand Master of the Royal Order of the Crown (2002).
  •  Eswatini: Grand Master of the Royal Family Order of Mswati III (2002).
  •  Eswatini: Grand Master of the Military Order of Swaziland (2002).
  •  Eswatini: Grand Master of the Order of the Elephant (2018).[55]

Foreign

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Swaziland". U.S. Department of State.
  2. ^ Genealogy:SWAZILAND Archived 19 May 2018 at the Wayback Machine, World of Royalty
  3. ^ "About the Swazi Secrets investigation - ICIJ". 15 April 2024.
  4. ^ a b "How international gold dealers exploited a tiny African kingdom's economic dream - ICIJ". ICIJ. 15 April 2024.
  5. ^ "King Mswati III is born | South African History Online". Sahistory.org.za. 19 April 1968. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  6. ^ Staff (29 June 2021). "Armed forces open fire in crackdown on anti-monarchy protests in Eswatini". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  7. ^ "Eswatini: Freedom in the World 2022 Country Report". Freedom House. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  8. ^ "Eswatini". United States Department of State. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  9. ^ "Eswatini: Freedom in the World 2022 Country Report". Freedom House. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  10. ^ Sandner, Philipp (14 July 2014). "Swaziland: Africa's last absolute monarchy". dw.com. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  11. ^ "Human rights in Eswatini". Amnesty International. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  12. ^ Burke, Jason (24 January 2023). "Eswatini: murder of pro-democracy activist prompts outrage". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  13. ^ a b "The Issue of "€1 Million Spent on Princess Sikhanyiso" and The Issue of "Building" Royal Palaces by Swaziland Government". Prime Ministers Office. 26 January 2004. Archived from the original on 26 November 2007. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  14. ^ a b "king needs R100m for palaces for 13 wives". Cape Argus. South Africa. 13 April 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  15. ^ a b Serafin, Tatiana (17 June 2009). "The World's Richest Royals". Forbes.
  16. ^ IRIN; network, part of the Guardian development (20 March 2013). "Swaziland government sells maize donated by Japan and banks the cash". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  17. ^ "King of impoverished Swaziland increases household budget to $61m". The Guardian. Agence France-Presse. 14 May 2014. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  18. ^ Kelly, Jeremy (31 August 2023). "Swaziland king spends £13m on cars for his 15 wives". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  19. ^ "Overview". World Bank. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  20. ^ Laing, Aislinn (18 September 2013). "King of Swaziland chooses teenager as 15th wife". The Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
  21. ^ Bearak, Barry (5 September 2008). "In Destitute Swaziland, Leader Lives Royally". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  22. ^ "Swaziland king renames country 'the Kingdom of eSwatini'". BBC News. 19 April 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  23. ^ "Times Of Swaziland". www.times.co.sz. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  24. ^ "'Mother-in-law' sues Swazi king". BBC News. 17 October 2002.
  25. ^ Simelane, Hamilton Sipho. (2005). "Swaziland: Reign of Mswati III," in Encyclopedia of African History, p. 1528.
  26. ^ a b "Five things you didn't know about human rights in Swaziland". Amnesty International. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  27. ^ Shaw, Caroline Praderio, Gabbi. "16 of the youngest monarchs in history". Insider. Retrieved 9 September 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  28. ^ a b Vicky, Alan (October 2018). "Africa's last absolute monarchy". Le Monde Diplomatique. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  29. ^ Kuipers, Ludo (10 March 2014). "The uMcwasho Ceremony in 1971". ozoutback.com.au. Cairns, Queensland, Australia: OzOutback. Retrieved 26 April 2014. Photos of the umcwasho Ceremony in 1971, in which girls finish a period of moral restrictions and dance in front of the King.
  30. ^ "Swazi king drops sex-ban tassels". BBC. 23 August 2005. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  31. ^ Hsu, Stacy (9 June 2018). "Swazi king promises loyalty to Taiwan". Taipei Times.
  32. ^ "Eswatini king recovers from COVID, thanks Taiwan for sending drug". Al Jazeera English. 20 February 2021.
  33. ^ a b "News :: The Eswatini News". www.swazilandnews.co.za.
  34. ^ McCain, Compiled by Nicole. "WATCH | Protests rock eSwatini, govt denies reports that King Mswati fled". News24.
  35. ^ Hilda Kuper (1944). "A ritual of kingship among the Swazi". Journal of the International African Institute. 14 (5).
  36. ^ People's United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO); Dlamini, Ignatius Bonginkosi (31 July 2005). "PUDEMO rejects the Dlamini family constitution as it is meant to legitimize the continued oppression of our people by one family, King Mswati's family" (PDF). pudemo.org. Swaziland: PUDEMO. Retrieved 26 April 2014.[permanent dead link‍]
  37. ^ Maroleng, Chris (26 June 2003). "Swaziland: The King's Constitution" (PDF). iss.co.za. Paris, France: European Union Institute for Security Studies. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 August 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  38. ^ The Daily Telegraph (18 May 2012). "King of Bahrain lunches with Queen as human rights storm rages". UK News. The Daily Telegraph. London, UK. ISSN 0307-1235. OCLC 49632006. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  39. ^ "Swaziland" (PDF). United States Department of State.
  40. ^ a b "Swaziland's Royal Bridal Mess - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. 4 November 2002. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  41. ^ Grunwald, Michael (6 November 2002). "Changing What It Means to Be Swazi". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  42. ^ a b Davis, Rebecca (10 May 2013). "King Mswati to WEF: Swazi people don't want change". Daily Maverick.
  43. ^ "King of Bahrain lunches with Queen as human rights storm rages". The Daily Telegraph. 18 May 2012. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  44. ^ King Mswati is Bankrupting Swaziland: Mornachy not for Africa! Archived 17 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Ole Africa
  45. ^ King of impoverished Swaziland increases household budget to $61m, Agence France-Presse in Mbabane, 15 May 2014, The Guardian
  46. ^ UNDP Archived 5 August 2014 at the Wayback Machine, About Swaziland
  47. ^ Now only Mswati owns a Maybach! Archived 27 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine, City Press, 25 January 2009
  48. ^ "Swazi king gets go ahead for wives' palaces". Independent Online. 25 July 2004. Archived from the original on 30 April 2009. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
  49. ^ a b "Swazi anger at royal wives' trip". BBC News. 21 August 2008. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  50. ^ Amnesty International: "Swaziland: Human rights at risk in a climate of political and legal uncertainty,"Index No. AFR 55/004/2004. 29 July 2004.
  51. ^ Wayua, Muli. "A king, his culture, his wives," Daily Nation (Nairobi, Kenya). 7 December 2002.
  52. ^ "Member States | United Nations". www.un.org.
  53. ^ "King Renames Swaziland to its 'Ancient', Pre-Colonial Name". allAfrica.com. 20 April 2018.
  54. ^ "Decorations of Swaziland".
  55. ^ Team, Internet. "President Tsai meets King Mswati III of Swaziland, attends state banquet". Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in the Kingdom of Eswatini 駐史瓦帝尼王國大使館.
  56. ^ "Page 17188 | Issue 52712, 11 November 1991 | London Gazette | The Gazette". www.thegazette.co.uk.
  57. ^ 1995 National Orders Awards Archived 22 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  58. ^ "Info.gov.za" (PDF).

Bibliography

[edit]
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mswati III.
Wikiquote has quotations related to Mswati III.
Regnal titles
Preceded byas Ndlovukati King of Eswatini
1986–present 		Incumbent
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Mswati_III&oldid=1266471488"