Swaziland’s King Mswati opens up to opposition

FIENIE GROBLER MBABANE – Africa’s last absolute monarch has invited banned opposition parties to enter the political playing field in Swaziland, speaking publicly on the issue for the first time in a rare interview with AFP.

“Our constitution is no longer banning anything,” said King Mswati III, who this week will celebrate 20 years since he ascended to the throne at the age of 18 in the small mountainous kingdom wedged between South Africa and Mozambique. “The old constitution had actually written that we banned political parties but these days when you read our new constitution, our new constitution allows the freedom of rights,” said Mswati from his Lozitha palace outside Mbabane, with its marble walls and crystal chandeliers.”There is nothing which says we ban parties,” he told AFP.Swazis have been living peacefully in the rolling green hills of Swaziland, clinging to their age-old customs despite harsh poverty and alarming AIDS rates.TREASON CHARGES But now a handful of pro-democracy activists are threatening to disrupt the quiet if there is no end to Mswati’s autocratic rule and the lavish lifestyles of his 13 wives and 26 children.The country has been hit by a spate of firebombings in recent months on government offices and homes belonging to state officials.A group of members of the People’s United Democratic Movement, a banned pro-democracy group, has been arrested and face treason charges.”I am concerned when violence is being used.I do not see that if you want change one should use any type of violence,” said Mswati, wearing three red feathers in his hair and dressed in a traditional red, black and white cloth bearing a picture of a spear.”What is most important, is that there are always doors open…If one wants to convey a message our doors are wide open, if they want to express themselves.”Mswati in February signed a decree bringing into force a new constitution that proclaims the right to freedom of association and freedom of speech, but without specifically mentioning the status of political parties.This caused much speculation as to whether the ban on political parties slapped by Mswati’s father, King Sobhuza II, in 1973 remained in effect.Mswati hopes the new constitution – which took nine years to draft – will convince donors to dig into their pockets and make a “contribution”.More than half of the 1,1 million population lives below the breadline and some 40 per cent of adults are HIV infected, the highest rate in the world.’WE ARE A FORTRESS’ “We are hopeful that the international community will give themselves time to see and understand how the people of Swaziland do their thing,” said Mswati, who sat in an ornate high back chair, under the Swazi shield of a lion and elephant hanging on the wall, with the words “Siyinqaba” (Together we are a fortress) engraved in gold.When he ascended to the throne in 1986, Mswati was known as Prince Makhosetive (King of Nations), the illegitimate son of Sobhuza, who had 90 wives and 120 children.When Sobhuza died, Swazis performed a special posthumous ritual to give his mother the status of queen and to allow him to succeed his father.Nearly four decades after Swaziland won independence from Britain in 1968, the traditional kingdom is struggling to cope with the demands of the modern world and global economy.Mswati needs his neighbours, and foreign donors impatient with the lack of democratic reform in Swaziland, to lend a hand.DONORS IMPATIENT”There’s been a lot of discussions with our developing partners…we are hopeful they will be very much sympathetic to our situation because we know how much impact it will have,” said Mswati.”It’s a major problem for progress in the country as a whole.”The monarch, who has just turned 38, acknowledged that poverty and AIDS are taking a toll and that his efforts have not yielded enough progress, possibly already tarnishing his legacy.”We come across many, many challenges as a country.The challenges of unemployment and poverty…There’s a lot of people who are affected by AIDS.”You look right, you look left, people are affected.”I believe we need to do something to help them.So far, we are trying our best to meet their expectations but the challenges are always there,” he said.”Being king is a great responsibility.I would always like to help people…it’s a great pity that they don’t know this side of me.”- Nampa-AFP”The old constitution had actually written that we banned political parties but these days when you read our new constitution, our new constitution allows the freedom of rights,” said Mswati from his Lozitha palace outside Mbabane, with its marble walls and crystal chandeliers.”There is nothing which says we ban parties,” he told AFP.Swazis have been living peacefully in the rolling green hills of Swaziland, clinging to their age-old customs despite harsh poverty and alarming AIDS rates.TREASON CHARGES But now a handful of pro-democracy activists are threatening to disrupt the quiet if there is no end to Mswati’s autocratic rule and the lavish lifestyles of his 13 wives and 26 children.The country has been hit by a spate of firebombings in recent months on government offices and homes belonging to state officials.A group of members of the People’s United Democratic Movement, a banned pro-democracy group, has been arrested and face treason charges.”I am concerned when violence is being used.I do not see that if you want change one should use any type of violence,” said Mswati, wearing three red feathers in his hair and dressed in a traditional red, black and white cloth bearing a picture of a spear.”What is most important, is that there are always doors open…If one wants to convey a message our doors are wide open, if they want to express themselves.”Mswati in February signed a decree bringing into force a new constitution that proclaims the right to freedom of association and freedom of speech, but without specifically mentioning the status of political parties.This caused much speculation as to whether the ban on political parties slapped by Mswati’s father, King Sobhuza II, in 1973 remained in effect.Mswati hopes the new constitution – which took nine years to draft – will convince donors to dig into their pockets and make a “contribution”.More than half of the 1,1 million population lives below the breadline and some 40 per cent of adults are HIV infected, the highest rate in the world.’WE ARE A FORTRESS’ “We are hopeful that the international community will give themselves time to see and understand how the people of Swaziland do their thing,” said Mswati, who sat in an ornate high back chair, under the Swazi shield of a lion and elephant hanging on the wall, with the words “Siyinqaba” (Together we are a fortress) engraved in gold.When he ascended to the throne in 1986, Mswati was known as Prince Makhosetive (King of Nations), the illegitimate son of Sobhuza, who had 90 wives and 120 children.When Sobhuza died, Swazis performed a special posthumous ritual to give his mother the status of queen and to allow him to succeed his father.Nearly four decades after Swaziland won independence from Britain in 1968, the traditional kingdom is struggling to cope with the demands of the modern world and global economy.Mswati needs his neighbours, and foreign donors impatient with the lack of democratic reform in Swaziland, to lend a hand.DONORS IMPATIENT “There’s been a lot of discussions with our developing partners…we are hopeful they will be very much sympathetic to our situation because we know how much impact it will have,” said Mswati.”It’s a major problem for progress in the country as a whole.”The monarch, who has just turned 38, acknowledged that poverty and AIDS are taking a toll and that his efforts have not yielded enough progress, possibly already tarnishing his legacy.”We come across many, many challenges as a country.The challenges of unemployment and poverty…There’s a lot of people who are affected by AIDS.”You look right, you look left, people are affected.”I believe we need to do something to help them.So far, we are trying our best to meet their expectations but the challenges are always there,” he said.”Being king is a great responsibility.I would always like to help people…it’s a great pity that they don’t know this side of me.”- Nampa-AFP

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.

The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.