His Majesty King Mswati III has expressed heartfelt gratitude to Emaswati and to God for the strength and support he has received throughout his 40-year reign as King of Eswatini.
The King ascended to the throne on April 25, 1986, at the age of 18. His coronation marked the beginning of a new chapter in the country’s history, with the young monarch pledging to uphold tradition while guiding the nation toward development and self-reliance.
Over the past four decades, his reign has been associated with infrastructural growth, expansion of education and healthcare services, rural electrification, and continued efforts to promote and preserve the country’s cultural identity on the global stage.
A landmark moment came in 2018 when the King officially changed the country’s name from Swaziland to Eswatini — a move aimed at reinforcing national pride and sovereignty.
“When I ascended to the throne in 1986, the social and economic landscape was far different from what it is today. We have undergone a profound transformation as a nation.
“We are proud to note the numerous achievements across many sectors. Our infrastructure has witnessed the development of state-of-the-art highways, an international airport and dams, to mention a few.
“We now also have enhanced social welfare services programmes that include grants for the elderly and disabled, as well as poverty alleviation and regional development funds that have changed the lives of many communities.”
His Majesty further highlighted that the economy had also shown remarkable growth — from a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of approximately E1.4 billion in 1986 to the current E95.2 billion.
“Most significantly, we have enjoyed prolonged peace and stability that has sustained our development,” he said.
Reflecting on four decades of leadership, the King identified unemployment as one of the nation’s most pressing challenges.
He emphasised the need for renewed commitment to tackling unemployment, expressing hope that within the next 40 years, this challenge would be significantly reduced or eliminated.
The King called on citizens to work collectively, embrace innovation, and maintain faith as the country strives to build a prosperous and self-sustaining future for generations to come.
