Africa-Press – Eswatini. Legislators, comprising senators and Members of Parliament, have donated eight head of cattle to Their Majesties in a gesture of appreciation and respect.
Of the eight cattle, five were presented to His Majesty the King and three to Her Majesty the Indlovukazi. The announcement was made by Senate President Lindiwe Dlamini as she introduced His Majesty to deliver the Speech from the Throne during the State Opening of the Third Session of the 12th Parliament.
The cattle were formally displayed to the King shortly after he had delivered his address. Legislators presented the livestock before His Majesty proceeded to attend a luncheon prepared in his honour and for invited guests. The donation symbolised gratitude to Their Majesties for gracing the official opening of Parliament and reaffirmed the deep cultural traditions that continue to underpin national ceremonies.
In her remarks, Dlamini expressed delight that the State Opening was taking place barely a month after the sacred Incwala Ceremony, a major celebration of the country’s cultural heritage. She noted that the nation had recently witnessed the unity of emaButfo regiments and thousands of citizens gathering in their numbers to honour Eswatini’s traditions. Such events, she said, were a powerful reminder that the country remains a fortress grounded in its culture, customs and shared identity.
The Senate President further reflected on the national prayer service held on 14 February 2026, during which His Majesty urged the nation to demonstrate agape love. She described the occasion as spiritually uplifting, saying it underscored the belief that national success and prosperity are anchored in God’s providence. Dlamini added that the country was blessed to have leaders who not only govern with wisdom, but who also humble themselves in prayer alongside their people.
She went on to commend the King for fostering peace and stability in what she described as an increasingly turbulent global environment since his enthronement in 1986. Under his leadership, she said, Eswatini had witnessed notable socio-economic progress, including the expansion of road networks, improved infrastructure and initiatives aimed at uplifting the lives of emaSwati.
The donation of cattle, deeply rooted in Swazi custom, served as both a token of loyalty and a reaffirmation of the enduring bond between the nation’s leadership and the monarchy.
