At 33 years, Tandzile Maziya has made a remarkable journey to the Royal stage as His Majesty the King’s interpreter.
Maziya was entrusted with a responsibility few could ever imagine, interpreting for His Majesty King Mswati III during the Correctional Services Day celebration held in Matsapha yesterday.
For the first time during the reign of His Majesty, a Liswati woman, Tandzile, was entrusted with translating the king’s speech during a national event.
Highlighting the historic moment, His Majesty said since the beginning of his reign, men have traditionally served as interpreters, but it was now fitting that women also be given the opportunity.
He said this decision reflected efforts towards gender equality.
“We all know that since the beginning of my reign, men have been interpreters. We saw it fit that today women be given a chance,” said the king, a remark that was met with applause and ululation from the crowd.
As Maziya delivered the translation, the audience responded with ululations, marking the moment as a symbolic milestone in the inclusion of women in high-profile national proceedings.
As the first female interpreter for Royalty, it makes her a record-holder.
The nurse based at Lomahasha Clinic hails from a rural area of Mconcwane, outside Big-Bend in the Lubombo region.
She did her education in humble schools, starting at Mconcwane Primary and later on Mpompotha High School.
The news of her Royal assignment made headlines yesterday as many people, including her parents, were not aware of her new role.
Maziya performed exceptionally well, making not only her parents proud, but also her former teachers from both schools.
While the assignment itself was historic, for the people of Mconcwane it was something even more profound.
It was the story of a daughter of the soil, born and raised in humble circumstances, who had carried the hopes and dreams of an entire community onto a national stage.
“She has made the school very proud. She raised the flag of the community,” said Mpompotha High School Headteacher Vuyisie Dlamini.
Dlamini described Maziya as a humble, quiet but brilliant woman.
“Many young people from rural communities often believe opportunities only come to those from towns and cities. Tandzile has shown that where you come from does not limit where you can go,” she said.
Mconcwane Primary Headteacher Princess Dlamini shared similar sentiments, adding that she was grateful because she was Maziya’s English teacher at primary school.
“This is good news to us. It’s humbling when you are a teacher and you have pupils like Tandzile, who listen when you teach,” said Dlamini.
Many people expressed gratitude on this development, with some hailing His Majesty the King for enabling and empowering women by assigning them to various critical roles.
“We applaud His Majesty, he said we will see changes in this new chapter of his reign. Congratulations Tandzile,” said Jabu Dlamini.
Other people who congratulated Maziya are those she attends church with at Zakhele Free Evangelical Assemblies, where she also interprets for Pastor Shodi Msibi.
Maziya is taking this role shortly after Legal Advisor at the King’s Office, Ntsika Fakudze was seen interpreting during recent functions.
Fakudze’s assignment also got people talking as this role has always been known to be played by Sihle Dlamini.
Efforts to reach Maziya proved futile at the time of compiling this report.
