“I will stand by you until the end of days” – King Misuzulu backs King Mswati III

By Sinikiwe Shongwe

His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has publicly pledged continued support to His Majesty King Mswati III, declaring that he would stand by the Eswatini monarch “until the end of days” in a powerful show of royal solidarity during the Kingdom’s historic double celebrations.

The AmaZulu King made the remarks in the early hours of Monday during a garden party held at the Palazzo Ezulwini International Convention Centre, one of the closing highlights of celebrations marking King Mswati III’s 40 years on the throne and his 58th birthday.

The national festivities, which began on Friday, drew royalty, dignitaries and guests from across the region and beyond, culminating in an evening of tributes, diplomacy and cultural unity.

King Misuzulu made the heartfelt declaration while proposing a toast to King Mswati III, Her Majesty the Indlovukazi and invited guests, saying his bond with the Eswatini monarch had endured for many years and would continue for generations to come.

“I will stand by you until the end of days,” he said, prompting loud applause from guests gathered at the elegant function.

The statement was widely interpreted as a reaffirmation of the deep and enduring ties between the royal houses of Eswatini and the Zulu nation, whose relationship spans generations through history, kinship and shared heritage.

Speaking warmly and emotionally, King Misuzulu reflected on key moments that connected the two kingdoms, saying events unfolding in Eswatini reminded him of significant chapters in their intertwined past.

He cited a number of years he said carried deep meaning to both royal families – 1968, 1974, 1978, 1982 and 1986 – drawing attention to milestones that shaped the histories of both nations.

Among them, he noted that 1974 held special personal significance as the year of his birth.

He further recalled being with King Mswati III at Somhlolo National Stadium in 1978, and again in 1982 at Prince of Wales in Mbabane, memories he said touched him deeply and often brought tears of joy.

The references resonated strongly with guests, many of whom responded with thunderous applause as the King spoke.

The year 1968 remains one of the most defining in Eswatini’s modern history, marking both the birth year of King Mswati III and the country’s attainment of independence from the United Kingdom.

For the Zulu nation, the same year was also momentous as it marked the naming of King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu as successor following the passing of King Cyprian Bhekuzulu.

King Goodwill later ascended the throne in 1971 and reigned until his death in March 2021.

Meanwhile, 1982 is remembered in Eswatini as the year of the passing of King Sobhuza II, while 1986 marked the installation of King Mswati III, whose four decades of reign were celebrated over the weekend.

In a lighter moment, King Misuzulu charmed the gathering by praising the beauty of the women in attendance, drawing laughter and applause.

He described Eswatini as a blessed nation and urged emaSwati to celebrate and remain proud of their identity.

The AmaZulu monarch also commended the country for placing God first in its affairs, saying nations that turned away from faith risked destruction.