Swaziland warns against insults to king on Twitter
If anyone doubts Swaziland King Mswati III belongs to a bygone era, here’s a modest example.
The kingdom plans to punish Facebook and Twitter users who criticise him.
“We will be tough on those who write bad things about the king,” said Justice Minister Mgwagwa Gamedze last week.
Senator Thulis Msane explained: Swazis, once in neighbouring countries, begin to go on a campaign to disrespect their own country and king.”
A popular English ditty more than 229 years ago fitted Swaziland just fine 193 years later: “…a sight to make all nations stand and stare: a kingdom trusted to a schoolboy’s care”
It referred to William Pitt the Younger, prime minister at 24. He became a top leader.
However, unless Mswati, who in 1986 acceded to the “throne” at 18, changes track, he risks wondering some day:“What became of my kingdom?”
Mswati reigns over a land-locked southern Africa kingdom, 4,420 square kilometres of spectacular mountains and valleys.
The population is 1.2 million. More than that number participates in some websites. The economy is primarily agriculture, forestry, mining and manufacturing, especially textiles.
Nonetheless, its growth has consistently been lowest in the South African Customs Union, from which Swaziland finances 40 percent of its annual budget.
Mswati is in a league of his own: the world’s sole absolute monarchy. The king reigns with help from an advisory council. He’s also subject to traditions, which the Swazi’s are, rightly, proud of.
Nonetheless, those interested in parliamentary, government, business, et al, careers had better be in good books in the labyrinth of the Royal House of Dlamini.
Considering Mswati’s father had 70 wives, the House—fathers, mothers, uncles, aunts, brothers, cousins, et cetera—could be in thousands.
Political parties are banned. Who needs them when the king reigns? The king isn’t poor. Forbes magazine once put his wealth at $100 million.
He’s also a trustee of a $10 billion trust his father set up for the Swazi nation. Yet the Royal household budget for 2011-12 gobbled $30 million out of the $1.2 billion; this in a country where about 70 per cent of the people live on less than $2 a day.
Well, the king’s luxurious lifestyle—14 wives’ included—is legendary. Last week, students demonstrated against cuts for higher education.
The protests was just another in a series since last year. Who wouldn’t protest when the International Monetary Fund says economic growth is headed to zero and a $320m South African bail-out loan stalls, mainly because the king wants to reign absolutely?
Mswati can steer his kingdom away from the woods. Other kings have.
Last Tuesday, the people of Tonga mourned the death of King George Tupou V. Protests against a la Mswati monarchy delayed his coronation.
In 2008 he ceded powers his subjects considered theirs’. He could have reigned to ridiculously old age.
Another example, a bit flawed, is Morocco’s King Mohamed VI. He isn’t poor either and whiffs of corruption abound.
But when the Arab Spring sprouted last year, he cobbled reforms. In June, his subjects approved. He’s still on the throne.
For a start, Mswati needs Twitter and Facebook accounts accessible to his subjects.
A dialogue—sometime caustic—with his subjects should guide him into a ridiculous old age on the “throne.”
