King Mswati renames Swaziland to ‘ESwatini’
THE king of Swaziland, one of the world’s few absolute monarchs, announced yesterday that his country had changed its name to eSwatini to mark 50 years since independence from British rule.
Meaning “place of the Swazi”, eSwatini is the Swazi language name for the tiny nation landlocked between South Africa and Mozambique.
Unlike some countries, Swaziland did not change its name when it gained independence in 1968 after being a British protectorate for more than 60 years.
King Mswati III declared the name change during independence day celebrations at a packed sports stadium in the second city of Manzini.
“I would like to announce that Swaziland will now revert to its original name,” he said, wearing red military uniform.
“African countries on getting independence reverted to their ancient names before they were colonised. So from now on the country will be officially be known as the Kingdom of eSwatini.”
The name Swaziland angers some citizens as it is a mix of Swazi and English.
The move has been mooted for several years, with lawmakers considering the issue in 2015. Mswati III has used the new name in previous official speeches.
The king, who was crowned in 1986 aged 18, rules by decree and has often been criticised for his lavish lifestyle despite the grinding poverty suffered by many of his citizens.
Political parties are banned from taking part in elections and only candidates approved by chiefs loyal to the king can stand for office.
The country, which has a population of about 1.3 million people, suffers the highest HIV rate in the world, with 27% of adults infected.
The name change could mean that the country’s constitution is re-written, as well as changes for the Royal Swaziland Police Force, the Swaziland Defence Force and the University of Swaziland.
described her as “a remarkable woman” who brought together “grit and grace, brains and beauty”.
“She showed us what an honest, vibrant, full life looks like.”
Barbara met her husband-to-be at age 16 when she was a schoolgirl and he was a student at an elite Massachusetts preparatory school. They married in 1945 while he was on leave from wartime service.
She made history as one of just two women to be wife and mother to two US presidents. Abigail Adams, who died in 1818, was the other.
Her son Jeb, a two-term Florida governor who also ran for president, hailed “the exceptionally gracious, gregarious, fun, funny, loving, tough, smart, graceful woman who was the force of nature known as Barbara Bush”.
Barbara Bush was her husband’s companion and advisor, travelling the world as he rose from Texas oilman to congressman, US ambassador to China, director of the CIA and eventually to the vice presidency and the White House.
But she avoided direct involvement in politics, and the posturing that comes with it – gaining a reputation for toughness, wry humour and straight-speaking.
“I’m not running for president; George Bush is,” she said at the 1988 Republican National Convention. “What you see with me is what you get.” — Al Jazeera