Government has successfully organised a double celebration for His Majesty’s 58th birthday and 40-year reign. I also take the opportunity to say ‘Halala’ to His Majesty King Mswati III.
Adding another year is indeed a milestone, hence, worth celebrating and thanking God Almighty, who is the source of life and gives it freely according to His will. Thus, the nation joined His Majesty to thank God for adding another year and for good health. Also to be celebrated is the King’s 40 years on the Throne. In the Bible, 40 years generally symbolises a period of testing, trial, probation or a generation, often representing a significant transition or the time required for preparation before a new beginning. Forty years appears frequently to indicate a span sufficient for transformation, judgment or the fulfilment of divine purpose, frequently bridging two distinct eras. Key examples of 40-year periods:
Wilderness wandering: The Israelites wandered for 40 years, representing a generation of testing and purification (Numbers 14:33-34).
Life of Moses: His life is divided into three 40-year segments: In Egypt, in Midian and leading Israel, with the last 40 years being his primary ministry.
Judges and Kings: Periods of peace or rule under Othniel, Deborah, Gideon, Eli, Saul, David and Solomon often lasted 40 years, marking a complete generation. Jesus also fasted 40 days and 40 nights.
I vividly recall that the journey to the Throne was fraught with challenges. I will not dwell on challenges, lest I spoil the celebratory mood. The nation indeed looks back on the 40 years of the King’s reign, appreciating the development milestones that the country has achieved. This includes a Constitutional framework with a Bill of Rights, infrastructure developments such as roads, millennium projects which included the King Mswati III International Airport, Mavuso Trade and Exibition Centre, mega dams, agricultural projects and an expanded economy, to mention a few.
The country has made strides in addressing gender inequality with more women in strategic positions in government, the private sector and non-governmental organisations. Free Primary Education has allowed access to emaSwati children and this has boosted literacy levels in the country.
In the same breath, it is also a reality that the country has had its fair share of challenges and many are being experienced by emaSwati who find themselves on the fringes of society. Many have lost hope that the development milestones will change their lives, including their families.
I recall the Vuselas that His Majesty launched to map the pathway in his reign. It included Prince Masitselas Vusela ,where the King was eager to hear why emaSwati were murmuring, an act Prince Bhekimphi used to refer to as ‘Buhhihhihhi’. Then the Prince Mahlalengangeni Commission in search of a political pathway, the Constitution Review Commission led by Prince Mangaliso, which sought views on what could be included in the country’s Constitution, then Prince Guduza’s Commission that sought for an economic roadmap, then Prince David who drafted the Constitution that was signed at Sibaya in 2005, in spite of protest from emaSwati who had hoped that the Constitution would address the banning of political parties through the 1973 Decree. To be honest, this political question continues to be a source of division among emaSwati despite the election changes that sought to empower constituencies to elect their own representatives. External Observer Missions have hailed elections as peaceful but expressed reservations that political parties are still out of the political process in spite of the Constitution’s provision of rights for freedom of association.
Among some crises that faced the kingdom is the devastation of the country by COVID-19, which led to the closure of businesses in an effort to contain the spread of the pandemic. This affected businesses, the country’s economy and livelihoods of scores of emaSwati.
It is sad that it also resulted in the loss of lives, which still haunts families and the country in general.
To this end, the national economy is still recovering from the effects of the pandemic. The other challenge that devastated our kingdom is the 2021 civil unrest, where uncontrollable riots were triggered by dissatisfaction with service delivery and a call for political transformation to foster accountability.
This crisis affected businesses, which were severely strained by the COVID-19 pandemic. Other challenges include out-of-control corruption, gender-based violence that continues to claim the lives of innocent women and girls, and poverty, as well as unemployment, which remain serious challenges. Emaswati will continue to pray for unity and prosperity in the years to come.
His Majesty the King blowing the candles on the cake.