BY MBONO MDLULI
LOBAMBA – Senators have praised His Majesty King Mswati III for what they described as a well-planned and successfully executed 40/58 double celebration.
The remarks were made on Monday, 27 April 2026 during an ordinary sitting of the Senate, where Senator Isaac Magagula moved a motion allowing members to express gratitude to the King for the weekend-long celebrations.
The motion was seconded by several senators, after which Senate President Lindiwe Dlamini granted members an opportunity to make submissions.
Magagula said the celebrations reminded emaSwati of their identity and what they could achieve as a nation.
He described the King as a visionary leader able to recognise opportunities that others could not immediately see.
Weekend Of Historic Events
The senator said the celebrations at Somhlolo National Stadium, followed by the official opening of the Palazzo Ezulwini International Convention Centre and Culture Day at Ludzidzini Royal Residence, showed the country’s ability to host world-class national events.
Minister of Natural Resources and Energy His Royal Highness Prince Lonkhokhela said the programme had gone according to plan.
He said the country had witnessed history and prayed for many more years for the King.
Prince Lonkhokhela compared the ICC to advanced facilities found in cities such as Kimberley and Johannesburg.
He added that the centre would attract major investment into Eswatini.
ICC Expected To Boost Investment
Prince Lonkhokhela said he would host professionals from the energy sector at the ICC in March 2027, noting that the country had previously struggled to secure suitable conference venues.
He also expressed confidence that even organisations such as the United Nations could hold meetings at the venue.
Senate Deputy President Ndumiso Mdluli said he was impressed by how emaSwati united to celebrate the national milestone.
He noted that not only citizens attended, but visiting presidents and dignitaries also joined the celebrations.
Praise For Royal Vision
Senator Prince Ngangabani said many people had doubted the ICC project, but had now been proven wrong after seeing the completed facility.
He said similar doubts had once surrounded the King Mswati III International Airport before it became operational.
Senator Chief Zabeni Shiba praised the beauty of the ICC and said investment in such projects should continue.
Senator Chief Ngome Ndlangamandla said he initially wondered whether the celebrations would succeed, but was impressed when thousands attended the stadium event.
He added that the King had shown similar foresight with the highway from Ngwenya to Manzini.
Senator Sicelo Dlamini described the King as a gift from God and said projects often became clearer with time.
Senator Lizzie Nkosi thanked God for the King’s foresight, saying the ICC was a wonder in itself.
She also praised the drone displays at the venue and noted renewed activity at hotels such as Lugogo Sun, which she said demonstrated the tourism potential created by the ICC.
Senate President Lindiwe Dlamini, in her conclusion remarks, stated that Emaswati should learn to support the king when he wanted to start any capital project.
She made an example of the Ngwenya-Manzini highway, saying there was a lot of disgruntlement from Emswati, who felt money was wasted because no vehicles were going to be used on these roads, but today, vehivles were flowing on these roads.
