King Mswati III Of Swaziland Changes Country’s Name
![Mswati III became king in 1986, aged 18 [File: Carlo Allegri/Reuters]](https://cdn.africanvibes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/05154213/3903d58645ba4c7399a800582b3a9d64_18.jpg "Swaziland king changes country's name to Kingdom of eSwatini")
The declaration by King Mswati III on Thursday was made during celebrations marking the monarch’s birthday. As well as 50 years of independence from British colonial rule.
“I would like to announce that Swaziland will now revert to its original name,” the king said at a packed sports stadium in Manzini, the country’s second city, AFP news agency reported. “African countries on getting independence reverted to their ancient names before they were colonized. So from now on the country will be officially be known as the Kingdom of eSwatini,” Mswati III added.
The tiny landlocked nation in southern Africa gained full independence in 1968, after being a British protectorate since the early 1900s. But unlike some countries, it did not change its name.
Meaning “place of the Swazi”, eSwatini is the Swazi language name for the country. The name Swaziland angered some citizens as it is a mix of Swazi and English. The move mooted for several years, with legislators considering the issue in 2015. Mswati III used the new name in previous official speeches.
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