In honour of the country’s independence from British
colonial rule, Swaziland's King Mswati III has announced that Swaziland will
change its name to eSwatini. This is to mark 50 years since independence from
British rule.
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| The small landlocked African country see name change to honour independence. Source: The Velvet Rocket |
The new name is eSwatini, meaning "place of the
Swazi". 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. "I
would like to announce that Swaziland will now revert to its original name. From
now on the country will officially be known as the Kingdom of eSwatini,"
he said.
The name change means the country's constitution will be
rewritten and there will be changes to the Royal Swaziland Police Force, the
Swaziland Defence Force and the University of
Swaziland.
Official independence took place on 6 September 1968. It is
a national holiday in the country.
On this day, Swaziland became self-governing
after having been ruled by Britain since 1903. This national holiday was also
known as Somhlolo Day or Sobhuza Day, named after Sobhuza II
(1899-1982), king of Swaziland from 1921 until his death. In 1973, he
disregarded the constitution passed upon independence and assumed supreme
power.
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