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Lonkhonkhela a hit in Tanzania!

04/08/2013 04:56:00 BY MDUDUZI MAGAGULA

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MBABANE - Prince Lonkhokhela, was a hit in Tanzania, when he visited that country with a colleague on official business a few months ago.

Days before he arrived, news of the fact that ‘His Majesty the King’s brother’ was on his way circulated.
A welcoming party was prepared to welcome him to the East African country. Prince Lonkhokhela is the long-serving Chief Executive Officer of the Swaziland National Provident Fund (SNPF). He was in Tanzania to attend a meeting hosted by that country’s pension fund company called the National Social Security Fund of Tanzania (NSSF). Tanzanians, excited by his visit to their country, expressed their delight on the Jamii Forums website.

Members invited each other for a special treat with the prince in that country’s capital, Arusha and other tourism sites. A blogger who identified himself as Thanda Simelane was the man behind the hype.

He invited his countrymen and women for a treat with the prince through his blog on the site.
In one of his posts, he said, ‘Going out with the prince of Swaziland. Dear Humble JF Members (Jamii Forums) in Arusha, is there anyone who wants to go out with Prince Lonkhokhela? (The king’s brother). He (prince) would like to have a company of four individuals in Arusha tonight, especially in a club or anywhere.’

Thanda went on to describe qualities of the four people who were required. “It should be people (local) who know the history of Arusha and Tanzania. Individuals who speak Swahili are welcome – they will have translators in Thanda Similane and Mtdutduzi,” reads the post.
Thanda went on to state that the people who were required were two women and two men between the ages 18 to 35 years.

“They should be able to socialise with them to cover the seniority of his complex (a man of higher calibre), together with his team of four,” continues the post. Thanda also posted his email address, saying interested people should contact him. Prince Lonkhokhela confirmed to the Times SUNDAY that he travelled to Tanzania in February. He went there with Zithulele Gina, a member of staff from his organisation. Gina is the head of Corporate Services at SNPF.

Prince Lonkhokhela denied meeting anyone outside the scope of the company that had invited him to that country. He said there were places of leisure he visited but he together with the people who hosted him. “I did not meet anyone, be it a woman or man outside those who hosted us,” he said. He also said he never asked anyone to organise a welcoming party for him. “I did not instruct anyone to organise that. I did visit some places of interest like tourism sites but I was with the people who hosted us,” he said. Interviewed separately, Gina also confirmed the trip to Tanzania.

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“We visited game parks after each meeting and were in the company of the people from the company that hosted us,” he said. In one of the posts, a blogger who identified herself as ZD posted the following on Thandas wall, “Hi Thanda , I hope you are enjoying yourself in Arusha. All the best!” Thanda’s response to the post was, “Thank you ZD, the prince is eager to have a company of men to go out this evening. Can you join us tonight? It is not a matter of having sex out there as some might think so. He is with his wife, accompanied by two bodyguards and others.”
However, the SNPF CEO has denied that he was there with his wife. He could not be asked further questions because he got agitated as the interview went on and ended up using strong language against the reporter.

Meanwhile, subsequent posts that followed from other users of the website were: “Thanda is very selfish. He did not want to give me the golden opportunity to shake hands with the prince. He knows quite well that I could have given the prince the royal treatment he deserves. Things I will do for money!” Another blogger, who identified herself as Lara1,said , “It is not a joke....royal treatment is essential anyhow but Her Highness Madam Zondla is there. Maybe you would have ask for permission to compete with her. From his sister from another mother.” It was not clear who this Madam Zondla was.

Thanda’s response was, “Just give a tinkle, a call now. He is here with us.” Yet another blogger said, “I was planning to come and charm the royals with lavishing compliments on Swaziland’s politics, tourism, cultural heritage, economy and all sorts of the positivity the royal house are used to hearing! Of course, channel my business ambitions just a little, not to bore His Highness.”