MUGABE STEALS SWAZI SHOW

As Swaziland’s 40/40 celebration got underway yesterday (6 September 2008), the world’s media concentrated not on King Mswati III (whose party it was) but Zimbabwean ‘president’ Robert Mugabe.

For the world’s media, Mugabe stole the show from the king as up to 15 000 spectators cheered the Zimbabwean at the Somhlolo Stadium, Mbabane.

The Mail and Guardian, South Africa, reported, ‘Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe received a rousing stadium reception in the Swazi capital, Mbabane, on Saturday as he joined King Mswati III and other top guests for the king's lavish birthday celebrations.

‘Mugabe (84) was one of a dozen state and government heads attending the Somhlolo Stadium celebrations amid tight security. He raised his fist in acknowledgement of the welcome, clearly delighted.’

SABC (South Africa Broadcasting Corporation) talked of Mugabe’s ‘rousing stadium reception’.

The Associated Press (AP) news agency said, ‘Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe, popular among many in the region because he is seen as standing up to the West, was greeted with cheers.’

AP reported, ‘Earlier, thousands of maidens who had performed for the king last weekend at the annual Reed Dance proceeded into the stadium, as did leaders of most of the countries in the region’.

Mugabe, who is widely believed to have stolen the election in Zimbabwe earlier this year, joined King Mswati III and other guests which included Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Lesotho's King Pakalitha Mosisili and United States assistant secretary for African affairs Jendayi Frazer, and the presidents of Madagascar, Uganda, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique and Malawi, for the 40/40 celebrations to mark the King’s 40th birthday and the 40th anniversary of Swaziland’s independence.

The Mail and Guardian reported, ‘The celebrations went ahead amid heavy criticism in Southern Africa that they ignored the plight of the poor, and tight security was ordered’

SABC reported that before the ceremony began, police inspected the area before the dignitaries arrived. ‘Protesters in the Swazi capital, Mbabane, were trying to block people from attending the celebrations.’

The Reuters news agency reported, ‘Mswati has courted controversy with a lavish lifestyle while two-thirds of Swazis live in poverty. Unemployment is 40 percent and the prevalence of HIV among adults is the world's highest.

‘Forbes magazine listed the king last month as the 15th richest monarch in the world.

‘Nevertheless, many of Swaziland's 1.1 million people, who are mostly subsistence farmers, admire their king.’

Reuters estimated the cost of the 40/40 celebrations at 10 million US dollars (about E70 million). AP put the cost at 2.5 million US dollars, ‘but it was widely believed to be at least five times more’.

AP went on to report, ‘It left a sour taste among the 70 percent of Swaziland's one million population who survive below the poverty line.’

AP added, ‘Mswati is Africa's last absolute monarch. He is widely revered but there is anger about the luxurious lifestyle enjoyed by him and his 13 wives. There was outrage when about eight of his 13 wives flew to Dubai for a birthday party shopping spree.’

See also

40/40 CELEBRATION