Our website use cookies to improve and personalize your experience and to display advertisements (if any). Our website may also include cookies from third parties like Google Adsense, Google Analytics, and Youtube. By using the website, you consent to the use of cookies.

The voice of the people rises in eSwatini

The voice of the people rises in eSwatini

CEBELIHLE MBUYISA THE eSwatini government reacted with force to protests against the dictatorship in the country. It imposed a curfew and blocked the internet in response to pro-democracy demonstrations sparked by the death of Thabani Nkomonye, allegedly at the hands of the police.  The government closed schools immediately and banned gatherings, using Covid-19 as a convenient excuse for its attempt to quash the most significant resistance the country has faced during King Mswati III’s rule.  Nkomonye, a 25-year-old law student at the University of eSwatini, died under mysterious circumstances on the weekend of 7 May. His family went to the…
Read More
eSwatini‌ ‌army‌ ‌called‌ ‌in‌ ‌to‌ ‌curb‌ ‌looting, ‌riots‌

eSwatini‌ ‌army‌ ‌called‌ ‌in‌ ‌to‌ ‌curb‌ ‌looting, ‌riots‌

THE government of eSwatini has called in the army to restore order after days of violent protests against its absolute monarch, the acting prime minister has announced. The southern African nation has since the weekend seen sporadic demonstrations against King Mswati III, some marred by rioting and looting. But most towns have been quiet since periodic Internet blackouts were imposed on Wednesday, witnesses said. Mswati's detractors accuse him of being an autocrat - a charge he denies - and of using a poor country's public money to fund a luxurious lifestyle spread over several palaces housing himself and his fifteen…
Read More
Anti-monarchy protests in African kingdom eSwatini turn violent

Anti-monarchy protests in African kingdom eSwatini turn violent

LUNGA MASUKU GOVERNMENT forces in the southern African kingdom of eSwatini have fired gunshots and tear gas to break up protests calling for reforms to its system of absolute monarchy, witnesses said. A dusk-till-dawn curfew was also imposed. Acting Prime Minister Themba Masuku denied media reports that King Mswati III had fled the violence to neighbouring South Africa. King Mswati III "His Majesty...is in the country and continues to advance the Kingdom's goals," Masuku said in a statement. "We appeal for calm, restraint and peace." Anger against Mswati has been building for years. Campaigners say the king has consistently evaded…
Read More
How I survived COVID-19 – Swazi King

How I survived COVID-19 – Swazi King

eSWATINI’S King Mswati III said he had recovered from COVID-19 after Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen sent antiviral medication to help him. The small southern African country, an absolute monarchy formerly known as Swaziland, is Taiwan's only remaining diplomatic ally on the continent, and Taipei has provided large amounts of economic and other aid. In a speech, the king said while the country awaited the arrival of vaccines, there was an antiviral drug that could be used to treat the illness, which he did not name. He said he had tested positive "for a couple of days" in the first week…
Read More
eSwatini will not use AstraZeneca vaccine

eSwatini will not use AstraZeneca vaccine

LUNGA MASUKU eSWATINI will no longer use AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine, its health minister said yesterday, after a trial showed it gave minimal protection against mild-to-moderate COVID-19 caused by the dominant variant in South Africa. eSwatini, a tiny kingdom formerly known as Swaziland that borders South Africa, was due to receive AstraZeneca doses from COVAX, the global vaccine distribution scheme co-led by the World Health Organization (WHO). South Africa on Sunday put on hold the rollout of AstraZeneca's vaccine after researchers published preliminary data showing it had significantly reduced efficacy against the more contagious 501Y.V2 variant identified late last year. The…
Read More
eSwatini aims to vaccinate entire population against COVID-19

eSwatini aims to vaccinate entire population against COVID-19

eSWATINI aims to vaccinate all its 1.3 million people against COVID-19 and will set aside at least 200 million emalangeni ($14 million) to do so, senior officials in the southern African kingdom has said. eSwatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is participating in the COVAX global vaccine distribution scheme co-led by the World Health Organization and hopes to receive enough vaccines for 20% of its population via the facility free of charge. It wants to buy vaccines for the remaining 80% via COVAX but recognises it may have to source doses elsewhere. "We are still trying to explore other sources for…
Read More
African Union chair pays tribute to the Prime Minister of eSwatini

African Union chair pays tribute to the Prime Minister of eSwatini

CYRIL Ramaphosa, the Chair of the African Union and President of South Africa, has paid a warm tribute to Ambrose Dlamini, the Prime Minister of eSwatini who has become the first sitting head of state or government to succumb to COVID-19. Ramaphosa expressed his deep condolences to the government and people of the Kingdom of eSwatini. Dlamini (52) passed away on Sunday, during treatment for COVID-19 in a South African hospital.. Ramaphosa said: “Today, all South Africans and compatriots across our continent bow our heads in sadness at the passing of a leader who took pride in leading and representing…
Read More
Prime Minister of eSwatini dies from COVID-19

Prime Minister of eSwatini dies from COVID-19

AMBROSE Dlamini, the Prime Minister of eSwatini has become the first sitting head of state or government to succumb to COVID-19. Dlamini, 52, passed on in a South African hospital, four weeks after he contracted the COVID-19 and two weeks after admission to a hospital. In an announcement, eSwatini Deputy Prime Minister Themba Masuku said:  “Their majesties have commanded that I inform the nation of the sad and untimely passing away of His Excellency the Prime Minister Ambrose Manduvolo Dlamini. His excellency passed away this afternoon while under medical care in a hospital in South Africa.” Cyril Ramaphosa, the president…
Read More