His Majesty King Mswati III has commended the South African people for their historic hospitality towards the people of Eswatini.
He noted that Emaswati are traditionally known as humble, respectful and law-abiding people, traits that have helped them integrate harmoniously into other societies, such as South Africa. He urged Emaswati residing in South Africa to maintain this legacy at all times.
Addressing Emaswati students during a courtesy luncheon in Cape Town, where he was accompanied by Inkhosikati LaGija, the King expressed hope that calm and mutual understanding would prevail amidst heightened anxieties sparked by the civil-led anti-immigration group, the ‘March on March’ movement.
He expressed a firm hope that South African authorities and communities would not disrupt peaceful students and documented Emaswati.
“We trust they will be able to realise that you are here as students and not disrupt your studies,” the King stated.
He commended South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, as well as the government and people of South Africa, for maintaining good relations with the Kingdom of Eswatini and other states over the years.
He added that Eswatini had received assurances from the South African president of the country’s continued commitment to relations with its regional neighbours and fellow SACU members, with whom it shares numerous common interests.
“We are members of regional trading blocs such as SACU and are currently engaged in numerous programmes aimed at developing our economies. This requires us to know each other closely and work together to achieve this goal. We need this close working relationship in order to address whatever challenges may arise,” he said.
South Africa is currently navigating a wave of intense anti-migrant mobilisation led by the ‘March on March’ campaign, which has issued an ultimatum demanding that all undocumented immigrants leave the country by June 30.
While the movement’s declarations lack official government backing, they have generated widespread concern across the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Present during the luncheon were members of the royal family, Foreign Affairs Minister Pholile Shakantu, Eswatini High Commissioner to South Africa Lindiwe Kunene, Chief Officer Chief Mgwagwa Gamedze and government officials, among others.
King gifts students E5 000 allowance
ELEVEN Emaswati students studying at Cape Town universities were yesterday presented with an E5 000 allowance by His Majesty the King to help with their academic needs and upkeep.
The gift, which was met with great appreciation by the students, was announced by Foreign Affairs and International Affairs Minister Pholile Shakantu.
The minister commended His Majesty for the appointment of a Liswati, Dumisani Masilela, to the position of Executive Secretary of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), saying it was not only historic but an important milestone for the kingdom.
She further thanked the King for his leadership, which has led to the government according Emaswati opportunities to study at top universities outside the country, where they are gaining valuable skills essential for the nation’s development.
Speaking on behalf of the students were Namile Shongwe and Phiwayinkhosi Dlamini, who both expressed their gratitude for the scholarships and the opportunity to study at some of the best universities in the world.
The students are pursuing various courses at Stellenbosch University and the University of Cape Town (UCT). Only 11 students were present, as others were reported to have gone home for the holiday break, while some had completed their studies.
The students present at the luncheon were:
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Cebolenkhosi Lukhele (UCT – Mechanical Engineering)
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Thabani Mabuza (Stellenbosch – BCom Actuarial Science)
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Sinenkhosi Matimba (UCT – BSc Computer Science & Finance)
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Samkelo Msimango (UCT – Honours Finance, Investment and Banking)
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Thabiso Mtsetfwa (UCT – Industrial Psychology)
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Likhwa Dlamini (Stellenbosch – BCom Economic Sciences; Econometrics)
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Phiwayinkhosi Dlamini (UCT – Masters in Chemical Engineering)
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Ziyanda Mthethwa (UCT – BSc Statistics and Data Science)
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Nomasiko Bhembe (Stellenbosch – BCom Financial Accounting)
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Velani Dlamini (Stellenbosch – BA Human Resource Management)
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Namile Shongwe (Stellenbosch – Financial Management)
