BY MBONO MDLULI
LOBAMBA – Despite the cold weather experienced across Eswatini during the week leading up to the 40/58 Double Celebrations on Friday, April 24, 2026, thousands of citizens travelled to Somhlolo National Stadium to celebrate the occasion with Their Majesties.
The event marked two major milestones for His Majesty King Mswati III — 40 years on the throne and his 58th birthday. People from across the Kingdom, together with visitors from neighbouring countries, gathered in large numbers to witness the historic celebration.
In the days before the event, cold weather conditions had caused uncertainty among many emaSwati, who questioned whether the celebrations would attract the expected turnout. Maximum temperatures in some areas were recorded as low as 13 degrees Celsius. Rain was also falling in places such as Mbabane, increasing concerns about whether the programme would proceed smoothly.
However, all doubts were put to rest when the celebrations went ahead as planned on the anticipated day and eventually filled the stadium to capacity.
Taiwan Visit Cancelled but Strong Ties Maintained
Another issue that had generated discussion before the event was the abrupt cancellation of the expected visit by His Excellency President Lai Ching-te of Taiwan, who had been due to travel to Eswatini for the first time. His intended attendance had been widely reported by various local media houses.
The cancellation was said to have been linked to countries such as Seychelles, Madagascar and Mauritius under alleged economic coercion from China.
Despite that development, the friendship between Taiwan and Eswatini remained evident. President Lai Ching-te sent a special envoy, His Excellency Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, to represent him at the celebrations.
The event also attracted Heads of State and Government from a number of African countries and received extensive coverage from both local and international media houses.
Crowds Begin Arriving Before Dawn
The day began with many emaSwati arriving as early as 4am at Somhlolo National Stadium, hoping to gain early entry and secure favourable seating positions from which to witness the event uninterrupted.
Before entry, officials distributed refreshments, food parcels and small replica Eswatini flags, which people later waved proudly inside the stadium.
As dawn approached, more people continued arriving in their numbers, forming long queues outside the venue. Police officers, soldiers and correctional services officers were deployed to ensure that the nation was treated well and that order was maintained throughout the day.
Some officers guided motorists to designated parking areas around the stadium, where ample parking space had been arranged.
Business People Benefit from Occasion
Business people also viewed the celebrations as an opportunity to set up stalls around the stadium and sell different products to the large crowds. Food vendors, drink sellers and traders in clothing and memorabilia all benefited from the festive atmosphere.
Many had expected rain to disrupt the programme because showers had been experienced in Mbabane and temperatures remained low. Yet in Lobamba, where temperatures were expected to reach about 17 degrees Celsius, no rain fell for the duration of the event.
Some emaSwati and visitors proudly wore traditional regalia, much of which exposed their bodies to the cold weather. Others wore heavy clothing to protect themselves from the chilly conditions. In the end, the weather proved less severe than expected and the celebration proceeded successfully.
At the end of the programme, attendants were also provided with food after the King emphasised that those who had attended should be given something to eat.
Queues Stretch to Parliament Fences
Long lines of people, some stretching as far as the Parliament fences, were still visible as late as 10:30am. By that time, indications were already emerging that the arrival of important guests was about to begin.
At approximately 10:40am, the Grand Parade of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) entered the stadium and was welcomed with thunderous applause from members of the public already seated in the grandstands.
A notable feature of the day was that temporary seats and shelter had been erected in the area known as “No Man’s Land”, where there are usually no seats, ensuring that the nation could witness the event in comfort.
The entrance of the Grand Parade accelerated the movement of people into the stadium and by 11am the venue was rapidly filling up.
Programme Directors Keep Crowd Informed
The celebrations were directed by Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services (EBIS) Journalist Sinethemba Dlamini together with one of Eswatini’s renowned public speakers, Mzwakhe ‘Tjovitjo’ Khumalo, who kept the crowd informed on what was happening throughout the proceedings.
Royalty and Dignitaries Begin Arriving
By 11am, important arrivals began. Wives (O Mndlunkulu) of His Majesty King Misuzulu ka Zwelithini and other members of the KwaZulu Royal household entered the stadium first. Soon afterwards, former President of Madagascar Andry Rajoelina arrived.
At 11:12am, former President of South Africa Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma entered the stadium. His arrival prompted sections of the crowd to sing his trademark Umshini Wami song.
At about 11:15am, former President of Botswana and King of the Bangwato nation His Majesty Seretse Khama Ian Khama arrived while His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS) Brass Band performed the famous Halala song.
At about 11:17am, His Majesty King Mabhudu Israel Tembe of the Tembe nation, situated around the northern coastal area of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa and the southern coastal area of Mozambique, entered the stadium. Around the same time, Emakhosikati to His Majesty King Mswati III also began arriving.
The HMCS Brass Band later rendered the well-known gospel song Empini by Nothando Hlophe.
At 11:28am, former President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Joseph Kabila arrived.
At 11:30am, Her Majesty the Indlovukazi entered the stadium, provoking loud applause and praise singing. Members of the public sang the traditional song Sawubona Gogo, after which the national anthem was rendered. By then, the stadium was already full to capacity.
At 11:38am, His Majesty King Misuzulu ka Zwelithini arrived. At 11:45am, President of Zimbabwe Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa entered, followed at 11:52am by President of Botswana Advocate Gideon Duma Boko.
At 12:09pm, His Majesty King Letsie III arrived with his wife, princes, princesses and members of the Basotho Royal household. At 12:21pm, President of Mozambique Daniel Francisco Chapo entered the stadium. They all shook hands to one another at the Royal box, before going to greet Her Majesty the Indlovukazi.
1986 Coronation Footage Revives Memories
During the proceedings, Eswatini TV showed video footage of the 1986 coronation of His Majesty King Mswati III. The footage showed then President of Mozambique Samora Machel arriving with his wife Graça Machel.
He was welcomed with excitement and shown where he would sit, in the same area where presidents were seated during this year’s celebrations. Tragically, President Samora Machel was assassinated six months later when his Tupolev Tu-134 crashed in the Lebombo Mountains at Mbuzini near the South Africa-Mozambique border while travelling from Mbala, Zambia.
Royal Arrival Draws Loud Jubilation
At 12:30pm, His Majesty King Mswati III arrived in an open Land Rover Defender amid fanfare and praise singing. Spectators waved flags and shouted Bayethe Wena Waphakathi in unison. He proceeded to the Royal podium placed just before the Grand Parade in the football pitch where the national anthem was sung. Heavy ceremonial gunshots were heard during the anthem.
His Majesty then inspected the Guard of Honour from the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force. Gun salutes continued during the inspection. He also inspected regiments clad in traditional attire, including imidada, whose members appeared unfazed by the cold weather.
Thereafter, he took his seat and greeted visiting dignitaries.
Prayer Service and Military Display
Minister of Home Affairs Princess Lindiwe then took over as programme director and invited Reverend Sipho Tembe to deliver the Word of God from Psalm 24. He thanked God for not allowing enemies to destroy emaSwati before leading the nation in prayer.
Princess Lindiwe then announced that a parade by the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force would congratulate their Commander-in-Chief for leading the country with wisdom over four decades. The parade, led by Lieutenant Colonel Colani Magagula, began at around 12:55pm and ended at 1:30pm.
The second part of the display was led by His Royal Highness Prince Mkhandlowenkhosi in collaboration with Colonel Mazibuko. Participants formed the number 40, with a moving zero, symbolising the King’s 40 years on the throne. They also formed a heart representing the agape love that the King had directed emaSwati to show one another and other people.
Prince Mkhandlowenkhosi marched to the front where dignitaries were seated, hailed the King with Bayethe Wena Waphakathi, and requested permission for a special display, drawing thunderous applause. Colonel Mazibuko also led part of the display in Mandarin, pleasantly surprising many in attendance. Prince Mkhandlowenkhosi later praised the King in song, once again impressing the crowd. The displays ended at around 1:55pm.
Speeches and King’s Address
At about 1:50pm, Princess Lindiwe thanked the King for showing love to emaSwati even during trying times. She pledged continued loyalty to him and the throne, while also thanking Heads of State, Government leaders and visiting officials from abroad.
Soon afterwards, at about 2pm, Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini introduced His Majesty King Letsie III to speak on behalf of visiting heads of state, government leaders and traditional rulers.
At about 2:15pm, the Prime Minister returned to introduce His Majesty King Mswati III, briefly recalling the 1986 coronation which he had attended with his mother while seated in “No Man’s Land”.
At about 2:25pm, His Majesty King Mswati III delivered the much-anticipated keynote speech in SiSwati, with English interpretation provided by Director of Legal Affairs in the King’s Office Ntsika Fakudze. The speech lasted about an hour. In it, the King thanked God, the nation and the international community for the support he had received from 1986 until now.
Entertainment Ends Joyful National Occasion
Princess Lindiwe later thanked the King for his speech and requested the Grand Parade to exit the stadium. A documentary on the King’s leadership, compiled by different local media houses, was then screened.
While the documentary was being shown, South African Maskandi musician Khuzani Mpungose entered the stadium, sparking loud excitement among the crowd.
Entertainment activities then began under the direction of Mzwakhe Khumalo. They featured cultural groups, choral performances and special dances. Lacwebetelako also performed and marched in front of Their Majesties as they exited the stadium at around 4:30pm.
Soon afterwards, the Grand Parade of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force congratulated the King on his birthday, while helicopters flew overhead carrying flags bearing the number 40.
His Majesty later departed the stadium to loud jubilation. The national anthem was sung once again. Her Majesty the Indlovukazi then departed, followed by dignitaries and members of the public, marking the end of a joyful and historic national celebration.
