King parties, subjects suffer
2005-04-19 22:24
Manzini - Africa's last absolute monarch, King Mswati III of Swaziland, has held a million-dollar-plus bash for his 37th birthday amid criticism that his extravagance was bleeding the poverty-stricken and Aids-afflicted nation dry.
The freespending ruler, at the helm of the kingdom since the age of 18, told a crowd of about 20 000 people packing a stadium in Manzini that his country had been blessed since the year of his birth and its independence from Britain.
"God has been watching over us since we became independent 37 years ago which was the time I was born," said the king.
Describing his birthday as an "important national event," Mswati - dressed in a red-and-gold tunic and mustard trousers - claimed his subjects overwhelmingly wanted to "uphold the monarchy and for the king to continue to lead the nation in every respect".
Private party for VIP guests
The ceremony at the stadium was marked by colour and pageantry and was to be followed up at the Engabezweni Palace, one of the numerous royal residences dotting the tiny mountain kingdom, with a more-private party for VIP guests.
The line-up at the stadium included energetic dances by warriors and barebreasted young girls, a 21-gun salute, several hymns and a military band which played an hour-long eclectic medley teaming up Happy Birthday to You and the 1970s chart-topper Congratulations with traditional English ballads such as Greensleeves and the more-martial Colonel Bogey's March.
But, many Swazis shunned the ceremony.
"This guy is spending more and more money while people are dying of hunger," said taxi driver Jubal Dlamini.
'Fattened corrupt calves'
Pro-democracy activist Lucky Nhleko said the festivities always involved the "fattened corrupt calves who surround the king" and lamented that the extravagance was "used to justify as upholding tradition and uniting the Swazi nation".
Mswati is no stranger to controversy, mainly over the lavish lifestyle that he, his 11 wives and two teenage fiancees lead.
The celebrations will cost $1.7m, according to figures presented to parliament during the budget session.
- SAPA