Times Of Swaziland: VIDEO CLIP BRINGS BITTERSWEET MEMORIES

VIDEO CLIP BRINGS BITTERSWEET MEMORIES
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BY SITHEMBILE LATSHWAYO on 16/04/2019 09:03:00


MATSAPHA – A video clip of the late Prince Mahlaba singing praises to His
Majesty King Mswati III brought bittersweet memories to friends and relatives.
Some of his children could not hold back their tears as they watched the clip.
The short video was played during the prince’s memorial service held at Jesus
Calls Worship Centre, yesterday.
In the video clip, Prince Mahlaba was representing His Majesty King Mswati III
during the book launch of kwaMagogo at Esibayeni Lodge a few years ago.
Attested
The prince, who was a praise singer, had so much love for culture and tradition,
which was attested by many.
He was also described as a person who always put the monarchy ahead of himself,
even during his last days. Many who spoke said the country had lost an
encyclopaedia in Prince Mahlaba.
The prince was remembered mostly for his great sense of humour which made him
have a way of making King Sobhuza II listen to him at all times.
His brother Prince David, who spoke on behalf of siblings, said the late Prince
Mahlaba was a good teacher. He said as he was a hard worker, he would
concentrate on whatever given task and even forget that he had not eaten. As a
result, he said he ended up learning a trick whenever they were working in the
fields, where he controlled the tractor to make it stop and rush home to say
there was a fault in order to get food.
Prince David said at a tender age, he learnt how to be a mechanic, as he would
be close to his brother at all times.
He fixed King Sobhuza II’s vehicles. He said the only time they would manage
to have a meal was when they had to go to town to buy some of the vehicle parts
and would then eat bread and milk.
This was also attested by his grandchild Mxolisi Msibi, who spoke on behalf of
the great grandchildren.
Provider
He said his great grandfather was a provider who put food on the table but one
had to work hard to get it. Mxolisi said as a result, he knew all the prince’s
fields as they would weed them.
Hezekiel Mamba, who spoke on behalf of the prince’s friends, said whenever
they wanted to relay a message to King Sobhuza, they would do it through Prince
Mahlaba.
Mamba said the late Prince and his father were very close. He said they wondered
when he used to come late at Swazi National High School where they were all
boarders, but learnt that he used to hold the torch for King Sobhuza II as he
read his Bible.