In Swaziland, where seven
in ten of the population live in abject poverty with incomes less than US$2 per
day, and one in three rely on international food aid in any given year, King
Mswati III, the kingdom’s autocratic monarch, hosted a birthday party for
himself that cost at least E1.2 million (US$120,000).
According to a report in
the Sunday Observer,
a newspaper in effect owned by the King, 35 cattle and 1,000 blankets were also
presented to the King.
The King’s subjects,
through their chiefs, also contributed 69 cattle, two goats and E5,400 cash.
The newspaper reported
that the party held on Friday (5 June 2015) was to celebrate the King’s 47th
birthday that took place on 19 April.
The Observer reported, ‘The dinner was indeed a glamorous event that
was attended by Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Emakhosikati, members of the
royal family, chiefs, diplomats, acting Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala, cabinet
ministers, members of parliament and advisory councils.’
The newspaper added, ‘With
entertainment in the form of music and comedy aplenty, guests were treated to a
three-course meal with wine and J.C Le Roux champagne made available in all the
tables.
‘But most of the wine and
champagne bottles were not opened during the dinner as guests feared falling
victim to drink-driving.
‘Instead, guests were
seen walking out of the immaculately decorated marquee into their vehicles with
the bottles tucked under their arms.
‘However, those who were
not driving were able to down the bottles while enjoying the sumptuous meal.’
The newspaper said the
dinner, held at Ebuhleni Royal Residence, was mainly sponsored by the Indonesian
Consular and businessman Kareem Ashraf.
The Observer reported, ‘Besides the E1.2m forked out for the dinner, it
was also announced on the night that the business people had contributed a
total amount of around E197,000 towards the main birthday celebrations on April
19. Chiefs from the Hhohho region, it was announced, contributed 69 cattle, two
goats and E5,400 cash for the main celebrations. Various sponsors also
contributed 18 more cattle while four other beasts and eight goats came from
individuals.’
In a speech, the King
told his admirers that God blessed his party. He said, ‘The nation will recall
that during the evening programme (on April 19) we received blessings from God
in the form of rain. It is our traditional belief that when it rains after
a national ceremony it means God is happy with the whole event.’
See also
KING PARTIES WHILE CHILDREN DIE
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