When Swaziland gained independence from Britain on Sept. 6, 1968, it retained its colonial-era name, unlike several other former British colonies in the … VideoThe day US began Covid vaccinations, New Uighur cotton evidence 'game-changer' for fashion brands, How Covid changed our lives - in 12 charts, Bogus reports, accidental finds - the Oxford vaccine story. Meaning "place of the Swazi", eSwatini is the Swazi language name for the tiny nation landlocked between South Africa and Mozambique. Unlike some countries, Swaziland did not change its name when it gained independence in 1968 after being a British protectorate for more than 60 years. As Swaziland changes its name to eSwatini, why the lower case "e"? "I believe that solidarity has helped liberate many countries and I expect our neighbours who are democratic themselves to assist and create a situation that would come towards a dialogue for a free society.". "We've been agitating for democratic governance in this country but the king is not prepared to engage in a dialogue with us. 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Unlike some countries, Swaziland did not change its name when it gained independence in 1968 after being a British protectorate for more than 60 years. After independence, Rhodesia became Zimbabwe, Nyasaland became Malawi, and Bechuanaland became Botswana. "Our education system used to be the best in the region but now the standard is low. Unlike some countries, Swaziland did not change its name when it gained independence in 1968 after being a British protectorate for more than 60 years. Some 90% of the goods going into Swaziland come from South Africa and the Swazi currency, the lilangeni, is tied to the South African rand. Political parties are banned from taking part in elections and only candidates approved by chiefs loyal to the king can stand for office. King Mswati III declared the name change during independence day celebrations at a packed sports stadium in the second city of Manzini. “The name of your country is your identity, so it should not be changed by … King Mswati III declares name change 50 years after independence from British rule, Last modified on Thu 19 Apr 2018 12.16 EDT. "Swaziland will return to its original name," he told a packed stadium in the capital Mbabane. Unlike some countries, Swaziland did not change its name when it gained independence in 1968 after being a British protectorate for more than 60 years. The president of the Ngwane National Liberatory Congress, Alvit Dlamini wants neighbours to put more pressure on the king to change the country's system of government. .css-1xgx53b-Link{font-family:ReithSans,Helvetica,Arial,freesans,sans-serif;font-weight:700;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:#FFFFFF;}.css-1xgx53b-Link:hover,.css-1xgx53b-Link:focus{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}Read about our approach to external linking. Unlike some countries, Swaziland did not change its name when it gained independence in 1968 after being a British protectorate for more than 60 years. T hough it sounds like an attempt to bring the small, landlocked nation into the digital age, it’s actually the country’s name in Swazi, the local tongue. Swaziland is, after all, tiny and completely landlocked. It is surrounded on three sides by South Africa and to the east by Mozambique. Mswati, who was crowned in 1986 aged 18, rules by decree. Though the U.N. adopted the change, “Czech Republic” is still widely used in English. .css-14iz86j-BoldText{font-weight:bold;}King Mswati III of Swaziland has changed his country's name to eSwatini. Zimbabwe did that; so did Lesotho, Botswana, and Ghana. King Mswati III declared the name change during independence day celebrations at a packed sports stadium in the second city of Manzini. King Mswati III declared the name change during independence day celebrations at a packed sports stadium in the second city of Manzini. It is a country which sorely needs to get out of poverty. Video, 'Don't give up, the storm ends': A message of hope. King Mswati III at the United Nations in 2015. Eswatini lies across a fault which runs from the Drakensberg Mountains of Lesotho, north through the Eastern highlands of Zimbabwe, and forms the Great Rift Valley of Kenya. But Swaziland, along with Kenya and Uganda, did not. Unlike some countries, Swaziland did not change its name when it gained independence in 1968 after being a British protectorate for more than 60 years. “African countries on getting independence reverted to their ancient names before they were colonised. King Mswati III declared the name change during independence day celebrations at a packed sports stadium in the second city of Manzini. “I would like to announce that Swaziland will now revert to its original name,” he said, wearing red military uniform. Read about our approach to external linking. The day US began Covid vaccinations. King Mswati III declared the name change during independence day celebrations at a packed sports stadium in the second city of Manzini. Some activists want help from neighbouring countries. JOHANNESBURG – Breathe easy, Switzerland: The tiny African kingdom of Swaziland is changing its name. King Mswati III with Taiwan’s president, Tsai Ing-wen, in Mbabane, Swaziland, this week. Unlike some countries, Swaziland did not change its name when it gained independence in 1968 after being a British protectorate for more than 60 years. The area came under joint British and Boer rule in 1894 before becoming a British territory in 1907. Unlike some countries, Swaziland did not change its name when it gained independence in 1968 after being a British protectorate for more than 60 years. Back in the 1970s and 1980s and indeed up until the 1994 democratic elections, there were lots of people who assumed liberation from apartheid would bring a change of name to Azania. To compound this, South African economist Mike Schussler suggests it doesn't look like the kingdom's huge neighbour will be investing any time soon. "We have nothing here, life is tough, the pension money is not enough.". Nkosi literally means "king". King Mswati III declared the name change during independence day celebrations at a packed sports stadium in the second city of Manzini. 'Don't give up, the storm ends': A message of hope. This is a major concern for pro-democracy activists. Swaziland – A British Protectorate: In 1921, after more than 20 years of rule by Queen Regent Lobatsibeni, Sobhuza II became Ngwenyama (lion) or head of the Swazi nation. .css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link{color:inherit;}.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited{color:#696969;}.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link:hover,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited:hover,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link:focus,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited:focus{color:#B80000;-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link::after,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited::after{content:'';position:absolute;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;z-index:2;}Letter from Africa: Why did Swaziland take 50 years to change its name? New Covid strain: How worried should we be? He adds that the region is plagued with corruption, which also gets investors worried. Published 25 April 2018. "I don't see any difference in me being in a maximum prison and out on bail because while I'm out here, I'm as free as a bird in a cage," he told me. Unlike some countries, Swaziland did not change its name when it gained independence in 1968 after being a British protectorate for more than 60 years. It has a parliament but opposition political parties are banned from its chambers. So from now on, the country will be officially be known as the Kingdom of eSwatini.”. It’s now looking to join the countries that did. He also thinks that while the country has no democracy, it will remain "economically backward". The name "Swaziland" is an amalgamation of the English language and the national language, Swazi. If it was by choice, we would remain with the current documents." The king of Swaziland, Africa’s last absolute monarchy, has announced that his country has changed its name to the Kingdom of eSwatini to mark 50 years since independence from British rule. The leader of the People's United Democratic Movement, Mario Masuku, has been in and out of prison for years, but never convicted. The last country to change its name was Czechia, changed from the Czech Republic. The name of Swazliland had caused confusion, the king added. "If you're a small country you have to be seen to be doing more and better - perhaps like what Botswana has done," said Mr Schussler. "Whenever we go abroad, people refer to … "The name change is neither here nor there. Crowds waved flags and cheered for King Mswati as he arrived for Independence Day celebrations. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Unlike some countries, Swaziland did not change its name when it gained independence in 1968 after being a British protectorate for more than 60 years. Why did Swaziland take 50 years to change its name? Swaziland: What happens when a country changes its name, YouTube lifts Swazi bare-breasted dancer restrictions, Biden after win confirmed: 'Time to turn the page'. Unlike some countries, Swaziland did not change its name when it gained independence in 1968 after being a British protectorate for more than 60 years. Swaziland takes its name from King Mswati II, who ruled between 1840 and 1868. Meaning “place of the Swazi”, eSwatini is the Swazi language name for the tiny nation landlocked between South Africa and Mozambique. Video'Don't give up, the storm ends': A message of hope, 'We'd just begun our careers when the pandemic hit'. For now, the name of the country, is the only thing that is changing for Mr Msibi. Letter from Africa: Why did Swaziland take 50 years to change its name? Unlike some countries, Swaziland did not change its name when it gained independence in 1968 after being a British protectorate for more than 60 years. King Mswati III declared the name change during independence day celebrations at a packed sports stadium in the second city of Manzini. At the moment he is out on bail, charged with speaking out against the king. The name change could mean the country’s constitution is rewritten, as well as changes for the royal Swaziland police force, the Swaziland defence force and the University of Swaziland. During Golden Jubilee celebrations Thursday, King Mswati III announced that from this point henceforth, the land formerly known as Swaziland … The name Swaziland … "From our point the king is rather too aloof.". Unlike some countries, Swaziland did not change its name when it gained independence in 1968 after being a British protectorate for more than … Unlike some countries, Swaziland did not change its name when it gained independence in 1968 after being a British protectorate for more than 60 years. The move had been mooted for years, with lawmakers considering the issue in 2015. The health system is has deteriorate to such that people have resorted to travelling to South Africa for better and efficient health care". Video, 'Don't give up, the storm ends': A message of hope, Japan 'Twitter killer' Takahiro Shiraishi sentenced to death, Joe Biden says 'time to turn the page' after victory confirmed, Hayabusa-2: Pieces of an asteroid found inside space capsule, Covid-19: Safety concerns over planes returning to service, William Barr: US attorney general to leave post by Christmas, Afghanistan: Kabul deputy governor killed in 'sticky bomb' attack on car, A68a iceberg: Science mission to investigate frozen giant, 'New variant' of coronavirus identified in England, Barbara Kentner: Brayden Bushby found guilty in death of indigenous woman. The country now derives its name from a later king named Mswati II. The celebrations also marked the king's 50th birthday. .css-yidnqd-InlineLink:link{color:#3F3F42;}.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:visited{color:#696969;}.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:link,.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:visited{font-weight:bolder;border-bottom:1px solid #BABABA;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:link:hover,.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:visited:hover,.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:link:focus,.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:visited:focus{border-bottom-color:currentcolor;border-bottom-width:2px;color:#B80000;}@supports (text-underline-offset:0.25em){.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:link,.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:visited{border-bottom:none;-webkit-text-decoration:underline #BABABA;text-decoration:underline #BABABA;-webkit-text-decoration-thickness:1px;text-decoration-thickness:1px;-webkit-text-decoration-skip-ink:none;text-decoration-skip-ink:none;text-underline-offset:0.25em;}.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:link:hover,.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:visited:hover,.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:link:focus,.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:visited:focus{-webkit-text-decoration-color:currentcolor;text-decoration-color:currentcolor;-webkit-text-decoration-thickness:2px;text-decoration-thickness:2px;color:#B80000;}}Why did Swaziland take 50 years to change its name? So on April 18th, at a celebration marking the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence from Britain, the king announced that he was changing Swaziland’s name to eSwatini. The king had used the new name in previous official speeches. However, many Swazis were … King Mswati III … Letter from Africa: Why did Swaziland take 50 years to change its name? The king of Swaziland, Africa's last absolute monarch, has changed the name of his country to the "Kingdom of eSwatini" to mark the 50th anniversary of independence -- and to … The US president-elect also condemns Donald Trump's "refusal to accept the will of the people". Meaning “place of the Swazi”, eSwatini is the Swazi language name for the tiny state landlocked between South Africa and Mozambique. He explains that in 1968 the country was producing over 68% of the staple diet of maize but now they are "living on handouts". But u nlike some countries, it did not change its name. My only worry is the cost and inconvenience of official documents changing. "Our country is peaceful," she added, with her son by her side. The kingdom has indeed not seen a civil war in over five decades, but activists would question whether it could be defined as peaceful. Meaning “place of the Swazi”, eSwatini is the Swazi language name for the country. .css-gw44ni-IconContainer{display:inline-block;height:1em;width:1em;vertical-align:-0.125em;margin-right:0.25em;}playThe day US began Covid vaccinations. Newscast: how scary is today's Covid news? The same year, Swaziland established its first legislative body – an advisory council of elected European representatives mandated to advise the British high commissioner on non-Swazi affairs. The name Swaziland angers some citizens as it is a mix of Swazi and English. It's not just South Africa's health care people rely on. Swaziland Airlink, the national airline, will also have to change its name — although as its fleet consists of just one plane it might not be a huge cost. To mark the country’s 50 years of independence, King Mswati III announced on April 19 that Swaziland—an anglicized combination of the name of … Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica. The absolute monarch, who rules over one of the poorest countries in Africa, arrived in a top-of-the-range BMW. Sub-Saharan Africa's last remaining absolute monarchy, A landlocked country, smaller than the US state of New Jersey, King Mswati III currently has 13 wives; his predecessor had 125, He can chose a new spouse at the annual reed dance (pictured above), a cultural event celebrating chastity and virginity, Has the world's highest prevalence rate for HIV/Aids, Low life expectancy with 54 years for men, 60 for women. In a crucial test of the powers of King Mswati III, the Swazi High Court has been asked to strike down the king’s unilateral change of Swaziland’s name to eSwatini earlier this year. Two-thirds of its people live below the poverty line, according to the World Food Programme. A member of the crowd waiting to welcome him, Nomusa Dlamini, told me that the king's father wouldn't recognise the country now, after all the new roads and infrastructure. The new name, eSwatini, means "land of the Swazis". King Mswati III … The headache of changing a country's name. "eSwatini is just not seen as exciting in growth terms and transparency terms.". Swaziland: What happens when a country changes its name. The country has a population of about 1.3 million people. Velamuva Msibi, a traditional healer who lives in a village about 40km (25 miles) from the capital, Mbabane, says he doesn't have enough money to pay for school fees to his children and look after his family. Published 19 April 2018. Unlike some countries, Swaziland did not change its name when it gained independence in 1968 after being a British protectorate for more than 60 years. Jn, named for Ngwane III, is an alternative name for Swaziland the surname of whose royal house remains Nkosi Dlamini. Still, people were impressed. The 79-year-old, who has two wives, 19 children and 35 grandchildren, relies on his pension to pay for his whole family. Unlike many other former British dominions in Africa, Swaziland did not change its name after gaining independence, in 1968. The change was unexpected, but King Mswati has been referring to … The name Swaziland had for so long been angering some people who faulted it because it is a mix of Swazi language and English. In 2008 he was arrested on terrorism charges and spent about a year in jail before being acquitted. © 2020 BBC. That's just the start of his litany of complaints with the country. 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