African Royalties

A happy birthday to His Royal Highness Prince Majahonke of the Kingdom of Eswatini.

His Royal Highness celebrates his birthday on November 29th, is the first son of Her Royal Highness Inkhosikati LaMotsa with His Majesty King Mswati III. He is the oldest of 4 sons to Inkhosikati, with younger brothers TRH Princes Buhlebenkosi, Lusuku and Sinawonhke.

Royal siblings L-R: TRH Princess Temtsimba, Prince Majahonke, Princess Tiyandza, Princess Sikhaniyso, Princess Sibahle

He is the father of one a daughter HRH Princess Lamahle. On September 2nd 2019, he publicly and traditionally propose to Gospel singer Nothando Hlophe.

Daddy-Daughter dup

In December 2018, he was appointed to the Liqoqo by His Majesty as an adviser and accompanies the King in his state visits across the world.

A happy birthday to Ms. Nothando Hlophe.

Nothando who is celebrating her 31st birthday on November 4th, is a Swazi nominated Gospel singer from Manzini. She left her career in the private sector to begin her musical career after wining the Women in Praise talent search competition.

Her pathway to making it into the industry hadn't been easy but her faith had kept her going as she sang as backing vocalist for a number of South African gospel artists.

Her hit song Yebo is currently nomminated for the SWAMA Awards in the song of the year category and she herself is nominated two time in the Female artist of the year and Best gospel artist category.


On September 2nd, she was proposed to by HRH Prince Majahonke during the annual Umhlanga ceremony

After attending the enthronement ceremony in Japan, His Majesty, HRH Inkhosikati LaMashwama and their accompanying delegation jetted for Sochi, Russia to attend the first ever Russia-Africa summit hosted by President Vladimir Putin.

Close to 50 African leaders were in attendance which ran between October 23rd and October 24th event which is part of Moscow’s ambitious push for influence and business in Africa.

During the meeting, His Majesty met with Russian president privately to hold bilateral discussions about economical and financial empowerment. He also met with other Russian governments officials, businessmen, business women and other African delegations on the sidelines.

Their Royal Highnesses the Princess and Princes who were attending in their roles of Minister of ICT (Princess Sikhaniyso) and His Majesty's advisors(Princes Lindani, Majaha and Sicalo) were also in attendance. The Emazinyanes met with senior Russian Ministers, government officials and African government officials and businessmen and women to also hold bilateral discussions on how to build the kingdom.

His Majesty then departed on October 24th for Baku, Azerbaijan 

His Majesty King Mswati III presided over the Imbube Marathon which took place on Sunday October 7th held at Somhlolo National Stadium.

The marathon began with the singing of the kingdom's national team and a word of encourage from the King.

His Majesty was accompanied by his wives Emakhosikati, children Emazaniyane and Minister of Sports Culture and Youth Affairs to attend the 42 km marathon event which brought together over 5000 athletes from around the world.

The first winners were South African Bonginkhosi Mavuso and Kenyan Jennifer Koech who received their winning trophies and a hefty Emalageni 30 000 checks from His Majesty. Mavuso crossed the finish line after 2h:28min:58sec with Jennifer on the women's end crossing at 2hrs:59mins:54secs.

African Electronic Trade Group's Regional Office Launch:

The King on Friday launch the Regional Office of African Electronic Trade Group held at the Mandvulo Grand Hall at Lozitha Palace.

The launch which was attended by various former and current African Head of States, members of the Kingdom's government began with prayers and songs by award winning gospel singer Nothando Hlophe(His Majesty's future daughter in law).

When givings his speech, Bayethe spoke about the importance of e-commerce and how it plays a vital role in the ending of huge youth unemployment as well as in the improvement of competitiveness of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on the continent.

His Majesty's words on action and encouragement to the youth, urging them to take charge of not just their future but that of the Kingdom, through this new platform that will enable them increase the country's digital economy with a E346 trillion network.

His Majesty worriedly express that digital wealth is still concentrated in the hands of a few large digital platform companies with the African continent trailing considerably.

His Majesty was accompanied by his senior sons TRH Prince Lindani, Prince Sicalo, Prince Bandzile and Prince Majahonke.

His Majesty King Mswati III recently concluded his stay in the United States of America where he attended the 74th General Assembly.

During the course of the week, His Majesty attended a number of meetings including the UN SDG and environmental session.

On Wednesday September 25th, He addressed the General Assembly where he spoke about peace, conflict, climate change, poverty alleviation and the exclusion of Taiwan at the top of his concerns making recommendations on the action required of the UN body as a collective.

This year's theme was Galvanising multilateral efforts for poverty eradication, quality education, climate action and inclusion’.

During his speech, he urged all to avoid dictating how countries should be govern and impose their ideologies on other nations of the world as he noted that this is a great fuse to the current conflicts in various parts of the world and causes many inhumane sufferings. He has called upon the UN to act swiftly, discourage such behaviours and remind leaders that they are all equal, irrespective of country size and economic power.

On bridging the gaps and promoting collective action, he implore the assembly to play its role on taking centre stage on inclusion and participation of all Member States through cooperation, dialogue and reforming existing organs where needed. He noted that most current challenges such as terrorism, climate change, migration, transnational organized crimes and many others, could be effectively addressed without multilateral cooperation.

On the inclusion of Taiwan, he said was a crucial step in realizing the pledge Agenda 2030 of leaving no one behind will remain elusive and false if they continued to deprive other nations the opportunity to play a pivotal role in the UN affairs, as stipulated in the preamble of UN General Assembly resolution 70/1 adopted on September 25th 2015.

He also spoke about supporting African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Ae-Trade platform needing the full support of the UN as it would propel the continent towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He asked the UN to invest more in SDGs to help end poverty. He said this was necessary to build strong societies and social protection systems that would ensure the inclusion of special interest groups affected by poverty.

On setting up regional disaster funds, His Majesty recommended the setting up of permanent regional disaster funds to help cushion against the effects of natural disasters and set-up sub-regional humanitarian hubs that will be equipped to respond swiftly to disasters.

He also spoke about reassess allocation of development assistance and providing assistance to educators.

Following his address, His Majesty met with the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres in private. During their private talks, the Secretary-General commended the Kingdom for its leadership in taking steps to tackle developmental challenges they faced and also discussed Eswatini’s implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The UN will provide strong support to the kingdom through its resident coordinator and country team to integrate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in national planning processes. The local delegation has submitted that among the results of this support includes the poverty reduction levels, decline in the prevalence of stunting among children under five years, improved access to water and electricity in urban and rural areas and helping the country record, for the first time in 2017, zero cases of polio, disability and death from tetanus, whooping cough and measles.

The kingdom was also seeking support from the UN in establishing a permanent regional disaster fund. This is to help cushion against the effects of natural disasters, as well as at SADC level for a sub-regional humanitarian hub equipped with emergency response equipment, tools and skilled personnel to provide expertise, advice and capacity building to Member States. The strong relationship has seen the kingdom offer land for the construction of the UN common premises which host a state of the art infrastructure.

Later His Majesty also held bilateral talks with the President of the Republic of Ireland Michael Higgins, and His Majesty King Rukidi IV of Oyo Kingdom.

On Wednesday evening, in his capacity as the current Chairperson of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), he attended a meeting of the End Malaria Council co-chaired by Bill Gates and Ray Chambers.

The meeting's agenda was to discuss the Council’s progress over the last year and explore the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Royal Proposals:

Two official royal proposals were made during this year's dance. First one from His Royal Highness Prince Majahonke at Ludzidzini Royal Residence.

In custom with Eswatini customs and traditions, a man publicly declares his love and interest to a maiden by bowing and placing a shield infront of her as she dances with other maidens.

And that's how His Majesty's second eldest son with HRH Inkhosikati LaMotsa(her first son) did in the presence of his father, grandmother, mothers and the entire kingdom when he publicly proposed to his girlfriend and gospel singer Nothando Hlophe. He became the first of the King's children and son

Nothando who had the red feathers of the Royal Bird also know as Ligwalagwala plugged in her hair just like the princesses was dancing alongside them. The feathers of the Royal Bird are reserves for female members of the royal family.

During her dance, His Royal Highness approached his future bride accompanied by his brothers performing the traditions as well as plucked one feather publicly declaring his love. They then engaged in a short conversation, dance together as the accompanied princes returned to their seats.

Princess Tiyandza's engagement:

On Friday September 13th, it was the future groom's elder sister HRH Princess Tiyandza who was proposed to.

During the Shiselweni Umhlanga ceremony witnessed yet another colourful and historic moment when Luis Leite publicly declared his love for Princess Tiyandza at Mbangweni Royal Residence.

The princess, who is well known as ‘Titi’ to her family and friends, wore a perfect smile when her future groom Luis bravely approached the Arena to perform the customary act  as she dance alongside her siblings TRH Prince Lusuku and Princess Temaswati. This was much to the delight of all especially that of her proud father, grandmother and mothers especially her mother HRH Inkhosikati LaNgangaza.

The crowd could not help but ululate and applaud as the Mozambican national did it the traditional way by decorating the Princess with a white feather.

Emazinyane were still dancing with their sister and closely witnessed the special moment which lasted for about a minute, yet it is very symbolic.

According to reports, HRH was dancing to the song titled, Selingshonele Mbangazitha, which translates to my days are gone your Majesty.

This was when the princess was at the centre of the arena dancing beautifully with Emazinyane.

This sparked colour to the ceremony, evident in the way that the spectators went wild with ululations, screams, broad and warm smiles as the princesses continued to dance, while Luis continued to do the kudlalisela.

Accompanied by two of Emajaha Mdabulo and Shiyumsuthu who led him to the arena to officially declare before the nation his love for the princess.  Luis was also properly dressed in traditional regalia just like a true Liswati warrior, came from the left of the arena while the princess was doing a solo dance.

The incident was also very well received in the arena and proved to be a major highlight of this year.

At the end of the proposal, Luis later met with His Majesty and Her Majesty the Queen Mother who were in all smiles as the congratulated the future groom.

Both couples later privately met with Her Majesty the Queen Mother who celebrations