BY THEMBA ZWANE
MBABANE – Government, through the Ministry of Home Affairs, has called upon all church owners and leaders to close their churches from Friday to Sunday and join Their Majesties at the National Church and Somhlolo National Stadium for Good Friday and Easter Sunday services.
Speaking on national radio, the Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Service (EBIS) on March 30, 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs Communications Officer, Mlandvo Dlamini, stressed the importance of respecting Their Majesties and joining them in the national prayer.
“Church leaders must close their churches for the Easter Services to join His Majesty the King and Her Royal Highness the Indlovukazi at the national prayers at Lobamba,” he said.
The communications officer said it did not reflect respect for churches to open and hold separate Easter Services while His Majesty the King has summoned all Christians in the country to the National Church and Somhlolo National Stadium this coming weekend for national prayers.
On another note, Dlamini touched on the upcoming celebrations, which include His Majesty the King’s 58th birthday and the 40-year celebrations of His Majesty on the Throne since 1968.
The ministry called upon all emaSwati to join Their Majesties on these coming celebrations. He noted that all emaSwati have noted improvement since the King ascended to the Throne and therefore it was important to show appreciation and join these important national events for celebrations.
Dlamini made an example of poor road infrustructure and lack of roadworthy buses to ease travel about two dacades ago. He said he could remember that a bus would make about just two trips a day and if you had missed it in the morning, one would only be able to catch it later in the afternoon. He noted that as things stood now, improvement could be noted significantly.
“The King has worked so much to facilitated development in Eswatini. He deserves all the praise and recognition for his standout contribution over the years,” said Dlamini.
On another note, the communications officer refuted reports that the Ministry of Home Affairs is out of travelling documents (passports). He said it was true their stock was limited but said the central office in the capital city continued to issued passports.
He said the sad part was that 12% of processed passports were left uncollected at the Home Affairs offices. He also noted that the issue of shortage of travelling documents was soon to be sorted out as they were actively engaging the supplier.
His Majesty King Mswati III, through Chief Archbishop Professor Samson Hlatjwako, called upon all Christians to gather for the National Easter Worship.
On Friday, April 3, 2026 they will gather at the National Church, Lobamba for Good Friday Service and on Sunday, April 5, 2026, they will be at Somhlolo National Stadium for the Easter Sunday Service.
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