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King Mswati
III, centre, has ruled the country since 1986 AFP/GETTY
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King Mswati III declares name change 50 years after
independence from British rule
The
king of Swaziland,
Africa’s last absolute monarchy, has announced that his country has changed its
name to the Kingdom of eSwatini to mark 50 years since independence from
British rule.
AFP report continues:
Meaning
“place of the Swazi”, eSwatini is the Swazi language name for the tiny state
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 colonized. 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 had been mooted for years, with lawmakers considering the issue in 2015.
The king had used the new name in previous official speeches.
Mswati,
who was crowned in 1986 aged 18, rules by decree. 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 has a population of about 1.3
million people.
The
name change could mean the country’s constitution is rewritten, as well as
changes for the royal Swaziland police force, the Swaziland defence force and
the University of Swaziland.
After independence, Rhodesia became Zimbabwe, Nyasaland became Malawi, and Bechuanaland became Botswana.
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