King Mswati III Renames Swaziland, Now Kingdom of Eswatini!

His Majesty King Mswati III. Source: africanews.com

To mark the country's 50 years of independence and his 50th birthday, His Majesty King Mswati III announced that Swaziland would now be known as eSwatini. The monarchy was speaking at the double celebrations held at Mavuso Trade Fair in the hub of eSwatini, Manzini.

King Mswati III took over the reins in 1986 at 18 years old and this year marks his 32nd year on the throne.


So all these years we've been correcting people calling us Swatis, we might just have to think again...right? Well, no! We're not Swatis but the people of eSwatini. Get that!

We scoured social media to see what people had to say about the country's double celebrations and the name change:

50/50 Golden Jubilee celebrations in Swaziland 🇸🇿King Mswati III celebrates his 50th birthday while the kingdom marks 50 years of independence pic.twitter.com/CKHmzHc5hW

— Nomsa Maseko (@nomsa_maseko) April 19, 2018

The Swazi Observer Managing Editor, Mbongeni Mbingo was one of the few people to share the news on Twitter:

King renames Swaziland to eSwatini#SwazilandCelebrates

— Mbongeni Mbingo (@mbongenimbingo) April 19, 2018

Others had questions:

Since we're now the Kingdom of eSwatini (officially), does that mean we're "Swati"?😷

— Sarabi (@LadyKay_08) April 19, 2018

What does the new name mean? #Eswatini

— Kwabena (@Kwabena) April 19, 2018

While others, happily complied:

Kingdom of eSwatini it is! 🇸🇿 🇸🇿 🇸🇿❤️❤️❤️🔥🔥🔥

— Senele (@LaSukuta) April 19, 2018

Halala Eswatini!!.....Happy 50th Birthday to His Majesty King Mswati III and Happy 50th Independence Anniversary to the Swazi Nation!! pic.twitter.com/5XDD3uxxzD

— Mmangaliso A Nxumalo (@Mmangzy) April 19, 2018

His Majesty King Mswati III has spoken. We are no more Swaziland. We are now the Kingdom of Eswatini.!! 🙌🙌 Bayethe! #Swazitwitter #Eswatini

— HlengiweK🇸🇿 (@khushuHD) April 19, 2018

With Swaziland having changed its name to eSwatini, that means i have more countries to visit...I mean i have been to Swaziland before, but i have never been to eSwatini. I need to go to eSwatini..any sponsor out there?

— Victor Baatweng (@VictorBaatweng) April 19, 2018

My Twitter location has always been “Kingdom of Eswatini”. I think the King should just hire me as his advisor because it’s obvious that we think alike pic.twitter.com/IyXGv3h1MW

— TK 🌞 (@just_tee_kay) April 19, 2018

All we can say is, Bayethe Wena Waphakathi!

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