Africa-Press – Eswatini. Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Thulisile Dladla has been appointed to lead the Cabinet Organising Committee tasked with overseeing the State Funeral arrangements for former Prime Minister Prince Mabandla Dlamini.
This was announced in an official statement issued by current Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini on July 3, 2025. The statement confirmed that the committee, under DPM Dladla’s leadership, will work closely with the Royal Family and a ministerial sub-committee to coordinate the logistics of the State Funeral. Specific funeral details will be communicated once finalized in consultation with the family.
Prince Mabandla passed away over the past weekend while receiving medical care in South Africa. His passing has been met with a wave of national mourning and reflection on a life of dedicated public service.
A Legacy of Leadership
Prince Mabandla served as Eswatini’s third Prime Minister from November 23, 1979, to March 25, 1983. He was widely admired for his wisdom, humility, and commitment to national unity. PM Dlamini described him as a key architect of Eswatini’s early governance, noting that his leadership helped lay the foundation for the modern Eswatini state.
Beyond his role in government, Prince Mabandla was also a distinguished member of the King’s Advisory Council, where he played an instrumental role in preserving Eswatini’s cultural heritage and traditions. His legacy is one of both political foresight and cultural stewardship.
National Mourning and Condolences
In his tribute, Prime Minister Dlamini extended heartfelt condolences to His Majesty King Mswati III, Her Majesty the Indlovukazi, the Royal Family, and the people of Eswatini. He emphasized that Prince Mabandla’s legacy will continue to serve as a guiding light for current and future leaders.
“He was a unifying figure who dedicated his life to the service of the nation. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” Dlamini said.
Earlier this year, Prince Mabandla paid the current PM a visit in March 2025, offering words of encouragement and wisdom to the current Cabinet. Reflecting on the encounter, PM Dlamini quoted Job 12:12: “Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old.”
A Nation Reflects
As preparations for the State Funeral continue, Eswatini mourns the loss of a statesman whose humility, leadership, and dedication to public service made a lasting impact. Prince Mabandla’s memory will be honoured not just through ceremony, but through the continued pursuit of the values he embodied—integrity, unity, and national service.
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