BY MBONGENI NDLELA
MBABANE – The nation will this week gather to bid a final farewell to Minister of Home Affairs Her Royal Highness Princess Lindiwe, who will be honoured with a State Memorial Service on Friday before being laid to rest following a State Funeral Service on Saturday morning.
According to an official State Memorial and Funeral Notice issued by the Kingdom of Eswatini, the memorial service will be held at the Jesus Calls Worship Centre in Matsapha on Friday, September 25, 2026, starting at 10am.
The farewell will then move to Sidvokodvo, where a night vigil will be held at the Kasaro family home from 9pm on Friday.
The State Funeral Service will take place on Saturday, September 26, at 6am, also at the Kasaro family home in Sidvokodvo.
The programme gives emaSwati an opportunity to pay their final respects to Princess Lindiwe, whose passing has brought together members of the Royal Family, Government, the Church and different sections of society in mourning.
Princess Lindiwe served as Minister of Home Affairs from 2018 until her death, placing her at the helm of a ministry responsible for some of the country’s most important public services, including civil registration, immigration and citizenship matters.
Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini announced her passing on September 17, saying she had died following a short illness while receiving medical care in Eswatini. Government extended condolences to Their Majesties, the Royal Family, her family, colleagues and the nation.
Beyond her Cabinet responsibilities, Princess Lindiwe was also a prominent figure in the Christian community. Her role at Jesus Calls Worship Centre made the Matsapha church a significant part of her life and ministry, and it will now host the national memorial service where mourners will gather to remember her contribution.
Since news of her passing became public, condolences have come from across society. Religious leaders, traditionalists, political figures and members of the public have paid tribute to her life and service.
The Muslim community also held special prayers in her honour, with representatives remembering her efforts to engage different faith groups during her tenure as minister responsible for religious affairs.
Her final journey will therefore bring together two major parts of her public life — service to the Kingdom and service through the Church.
Friday’s memorial in Matsapha is expected to provide a formal national platform for tributes before family, relatives, colleagues, church members and mourners proceed to Sidvokodvo for the night vigil and Saturday’s funeral.
The official funeral notice carries the biblical message from 2 Corinthians 5:8, reflecting the Christian faith that featured prominently in Princess Lindiwe’s life.
As the country prepares for the final farewell, the State Funeral will mark the conclusion of a period of national mourning for a royal, Cabinet minister and church leader who spent years serving both Government and her faith community.
STATE FUNERAL PROGRAMME
• State Memorial Service: Friday, September 25, 2026, 10am — Jesus Calls Worship Centre, Matsapha
• Night Vigil: Friday, September 25, 2026, 9pm — Kasaro family home, Sidvokodvo
• State Funeral Service: Saturday, September 26, 2026, 6am — Kasaro family home, Sidvokodvo
