His Majesty King Mswati III has praised the nation’s unity, reflecting on the kingdom’s development over the past four decades and expressed confidence in a brighter future for the nation.
Speaking before thousands of people and distinguished guests at Somhlolo National Stadium during his Ruby Jubilee and 58th birthday on Friday, the king said the milestone marking 40 years on the throne and his 58th birthday was not only a time of celebration but also a moment of thanksgiving, reflection and renewed commitment to national progress.
The monarch described the occasion as a “sacred moment of national thanksgiving and reflection”, saying it was time to honour God, the country’s heritage and the loyalty of Emaswati who had sustained the kingdom through four decades.
Central to his message was unity, which he credited as the foundation of peace and development in the country.
“As we conclude this 40th year, let the spirit of Agape love prevail. In unity is strength,” said the king, drawing applause from the packed stadium.
He thanked Emaswati for maintaining peace and dialogue over the years, saying their spirit of consultation and reconciliation had been one of the kingdom’s greatest strengths.
“Maswati, we are truly grateful that you have consistently granted me peace and dialogue, resolving challenges in the true spirit of consultation and reconciliation. That has been our greatest source of strength,” he said.
The king used much of the address to outline what he described as the country’s transformation since his coronation in 1986. He said the country’s gross domestic product had grown from approximately E1.4 billion at the time of his ascension to more than E95 billion today. He also noted that the manufacturing sector now contributed around 40% of GDP through industries such as agro-processing, textiles, sugar production and forestry.
On infrastructure, he said the paved road network had expanded dramatically from around 500 kilometres in 1986 to more than 2 000 kilometres today, while strategic projects such as the King Mswati III International Airport, the Royal Science and Technology Park and industrial estates had strengthened the economy and opened new opportunities.
He further highlighted progress in access to electricity and water, saying only five per cent of homesteads had electricity in 2003 compared to about 88% today.
“When we connect a home, we connect dreams,” he said, adding that electrification had enabled students to study under proper lighting, businesses to operate and clinics to store life-saving medicines.
Health services also featured prominently in the speech. The king said the country had increased health facilities from approximately six hospitals and 162 clinics in the 1990s to 16 hospitals and over 330 facilities today. He added that Eswatini had earned global recognition for reaching the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets ahead of schedule and for introducing innovative HIV prevention measures.
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His Majesty also spoke of investments in education and youth empowerment, saying development could only be sustained through an educated and empowered younger generation. He noted that more schools had been built over the years and urged young people to work with government through innovation and enterprise.
Despite the achievements, the monarch acknowledged that challenges remained, in particular youth unemployment, equitable distribution of resources and the impact of climate change.
“We commit to work hard to change this situation,” he said in reference to unemployment facing the youth.
The king also reflected on periods of hardship faced by the country, including drought, the COVID-19 pandemic and episodes of social unrest. However, he praised Emaswati for their resilience.
“Yet, through every trial, Emaswati did not break. We overcame,” he added.
Looking ahead, the king renewed the pledge he first made at his coronation 40 years ago.
“Today, in front of the same nation and the world, I renew that covenant. I will continue to serve with devotion. I will uphold our traditions and our Constitution. I will lead towards unity, peace and prosperity,” he declared.
He said the Ruby Jubilee should not only celebrate years gone by but should inspire the country to build a stronger future together.
“As we mark this Ruby Jubilee and my 58th birthday, let it not only be a celebration of years passed but a renewed pledge to the future that we shall build together, guided by unity, strengthened by tradition and inspired by hope,” said His Majesty.
The speech ended on an optimistic note, with the king expressing confidence that the nation would continue to overcome challenges and prosper if it remained united. He said the next decade would require even more from the nation.
Quoting a familiar proverb, he told the throngs of people: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
