Guv to attend Swaziland independence rites

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia is scheduled to leave the country on Wednesday to attend the celebration of the 40th independence anniversary of the Kingdom of Swaziland.

Kingdom of Swaziland King Mswati III earlier sent the governor an invitation to attend the celebration of the Swazi independence slated on September 5 to 7.

King Mswati III will also celebrate his birthday so he decided to hold it simultaneous with the Independence Day activities.

“H.E. Mpumelelo J.N. Hlophe, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Swaziland to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia has conveyed to Post the invitation of H.M. the King to Governor Gwendolyn Fiel Garcia, Governor of the Provincial Government of Cebu to attend the said festivity,” read the king’s letter of invitation to Garcia.

Last May 23, the King of Swaziland arrived in Cebu as par of his six-day state visit in the Philippines in hope to establish a more concrete relationship with the Philippine government.

The historic visit of King Mswati III was warmly welcomed by Garcia and Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Francisco Benedicto despite heavy downpour, which the governor described as a good omen.

“When your plane touched down yesterday, there was a much heavy downpour. But rain is a blessing here and a blessing as well in Swaziland. And so this is truly an auspicious beginning with the best of all signs, a downpour of water that gives life. May this first visit be a start of stronger and even better relations between Cebu and our Country and Swaziland…,” said Garcia.

The king was accompanied by his wife, Queen Inkhosikati Lankhambule and two-year-old daughter Princess Buhlebetive along with his brother Prince Lonkhokhela and his sister Princess Msindvose.

“And as the premier province of the country, your majesty has made it even more special by choosing to come to Cebu, on your first stop of your first ever visit to our beloved country, the Philippines. We thank you, your majesty,” Garcia told the king.

King Mswati III is the second among the 67 children of the late King Sobhuza II. He was born a few months before Swaziland was declared an independent country.

Swaziland is a small landlocked country in southern Africa bordered by the countries of South Africa and Mozambique. The country is also one of the few remaining kingdoms in Africa. — Garry B. Lao/WAB