Africa-Press – Eswatini. His Majesty King Mswati III has informed the nation that he was able to execute the complex International Convention Centre (ICC) project following an intensive research he undertook in Nevada, United States of America (USA).
The King was addressing the nation at the official opening of the state-of-the-art facility, during the Grand Dinner, at which he christened the ICC ‘Ezulwini Palazzo’ on April 25, 2026.
His Majesty also took the opportunity to introduce the architect, contractor and managers of the project who are from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“I had embarked on an official business trip to the United States of America (USA) to partake at a United Nations (UN) meeting with world leaders. After conclusion of the important meeting, one of the leaders asked me about my next destination. I told him that I was visiting Nevada. He quickly asked me if my intention was to go there and gamble as that area is full of gambling casinos. I told him that Navada had far more to offer than just gambling. My intention was to go there and research on the first class infrastructure development that they have there,” said the King.
His Majesty continued to explain that Nevada was one of the deserted areas in the US where it is hard to imagine any development initiatives becoming a success but they are among the world places with highly developed infrastructure despite this limitation.
“I gave myself time to conduct an extensive research. I envied how they were able to achieve the almost impossible due to the conditions of the area. They did not allow the limitation of the area being a desert to dent their hopes but they continued to strive for the extra-ordinary,” said the King.
His Majesty then informed the gathering that he was inspired by the quality infrastructure development despite the area being a desert. He said he then thought to himself on what Africans could also do despite limitations to achieve the nearly impossible, hence the idea of the ICC came to mind.
The King informed guests at the Grand Dinner that they should be more concerned of the returns of an investment, not the capital input. He then made an example that when he went to research in Nevada ahead of the ICC idea, he was informed of one of the casinos in that area where he was told that they casino, on a bad day, it would make profits shooting up to approximately E33 million (US$2 million) in an hour.
His Majesty was trying to drive the point of the importance of not focusing much on the capital input but focusing more on the returns of the project. The ICC is expected to generate profits through hosting high profile global meetings and seminars.
Meanwhile, before the King could name the ICC, he highlighted that the new building was built at a place called Ezulwini. He also noted that the area boasted rich Eswatini history. This, he said included being the birth place of deceased queens and Royal family members.
Based on available historical information regarding Eswatini royalty, specifically in the context of the Ezulwini Valley (a central hub for royal residences).
Queen Mother Labotsibeni Mdluli (c. 1859–1925): While born in Luhlekweni, she was brought up at the Ludzidzini Royal Residence in the Ezulwini Valley.
As queen regent and queen mother, she operated from this area, which is situated near the heart of Eswatini royal authority.
Other Royal Figures: While many queens or queens regent were not necessarily born in the valley, they frequently “belonged” to the Emaqhumbeni or Ludzidzini royal homesteads located in the Ezulwini/Lobamba area, serving their roles there.
On another note, the King first toured the ICC in the company of regional leaders which include King Letsie III of Lesotho, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, former South African President and the MK Party leader Jacob Zuma as well as former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) former President Joseph Kabila among others. The leaders had visited the country to join His Majesty the King celebrate his 58th birthday and 40 years on the Throne.
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