Disquiet as Swaziland turns 50
Thursday April 19 2018
Swaziland's King Mswati III. The country is one of the world's last remaining absolute monarchies. PHOTO | REUTERS
The southern African kingdom of Swaziland was Thursday celebrating 50 years of independence amid disenchantment about the worsening economic conditions.
The freedom fete coincides with King Mswati III's 50th birthday, and the two were being marked under what has been dubbed the 50/50 Celebration.
Swaziland got independence from Britain in 1968.
The celebrations, to be graced by Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, come hot on the heels of a rare public protest organised by the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (Tucoswa).
Rubber bullets
The Swazi police last Friday fired rubber bullets at protesters in the administrative capital Mbabane, as they marched against the difficult times.
More than 2,000 people took to the streets in the Tucoswa demonstration.
Police had difficult time controlling the mobs that burnt tyres and blocked roads, as they made their way to the prime minister's office to deliver a petition.
Some marchers attempted to tear down the gates at the PM's office to force their way inside but were blocked by police.
Regional media reported that the Swazi government had purchased a fleet of luxury BMW vehicles for the 50/50 Celebration, something the officials have denied.
The Times of Swaziland reported that Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala had instructed judges to contribute at least $165 each towards the festivities.
"Our hospitals have run out of medicine. Of course, ordinary citizens can't afford to go to Asia or Europe to get proper medical care," AFP quoted Tucoswa official Muzi Mhlanga as saying.
The Observer newspaper that is associated with the king alluded to the vehicles that were to be used to transport dignitaries during the celebrations.
Traditional dress
But it quoted the Public Works and Transport Principal Secretary, Mr Makhosini Mndawe, denying the purchase of the BMW 740i fleet.
The Kingdom of Swaziland is one of the world's last remaining absolute monarchies.
King Mswati III was crowned in 1986 at the age of 18, succeeding his long-serving father King Sobhuza II, who died at the age of 82.
The king, who is known as Ngweyama - the lion - has many wives and often appears in public in traditional dress.
The kingdom, with a population of 1.2 million, ranks 112 out of 131 on the 2016 Global Hunger Index.