By Musa Mdluli

Prince Mfanasibili was the son of Prince Makhosikhosi of Embelebeleni, he was the grandson of King Bhunu known as Mahlokohla.

After the death of King Sobhuza in 1982, Prince Mfanasibili became the most influential member of the royal family having been appointed as a member of the Liqoqo King Advisory Council, Prince Sozisa of Gundwini who was the authorized Prince (UMntfwaneNkhosi Lomkhulu) was later fired and accused of plotting a coup.

On the 13th September 1983, Queen Regent Ntombi Tfwala, appointed Prince Mfanasibili together with Prince Sifuba, Prince Makhungu, Prince Mancibane (Prince Chief Magudvulela’s grandfather) and Abenigo Kuseni (AK) Hlophe as members of the Liqoqo.

Other members were Mzingeni Msibi, Chief MfanaweNkhosi Maseko, Prince Lusekwane Ndvuna Masenjana Nsibandze, Prince Tsekwane, Chief Mulimi Maziya and Ndleleni Gwebu.

Prince Mfanasibili and then Liqoqo fired then Prime Minister Prince Mabandla and forced him to exile in South Africa, the then exiled PM was protected by the apartheid regime.

Liqoqo subsequently appointed Chief Prince Bhekimpi of the Nkhaba Royal Kraal as the Prime Minister of Swaziland now known as Eswatini.

But despite resistance from various factions within royalty, Prince Mfanasibili ensured that Prince Makhosetive ascends to the Throne, other royal factions were backing Prince Lonkhonkhela, Prince Gabheni and Prince Maguga among others to take over the Throne.

King Mswati subsequently united the royal family after taking over the Throne, Prince Mfanasibili who was thrown behind bars by another royal faction was released, Prince Mabandla who was hiding in South Africa was allowed back home, he died while serving as the King’s Advisor.

Prince Makhosetive who eventually ascended to the Throne is the son of King Sobhuza and Queen Ntombi Tfwala.

At the time of Sobhuza’s death, Prince Makhosetive was identified as the deserving Prince and was quickly flown to the United Kingdom (UK) for safety, he later came back and was officially crowned on the 25th April 1986.