MBABANE:Percy Simelane,the King’s Spokesperson has clarified that, foreigners are free to touch or be closer to King Mswati because the cultural norm of not touching the King does not apply to them.
Responding to this Swaziland News on Wednesday evening when asked to clarify why a Protocol Officer pushed away new and young King’s Praise Singer Siphelele Maseko who touched the King when accepting his trophy after winning the Ingwenyama Cup Culture First Prize, Simelane maintained that, emaSwati are not allowed to be in close contact with the King.
“Traditionally we are not expected to touch the King or be in close contact with him out of respect.We are aware that there has been,for sometime a host of other interpretations to this but we elect not to pretend we know their origin.Our experience is that foreign souls are allowed to be in close contact with him.The culture does not cover them,”said the King’s Spokesperson.
Siphelele Maseko won the Ingwenyama Cup Culture Competition under the King’s Praise Singing Category, he was subsequently pushed away by a Protocol Officer when taking pictures with King Mswati.
But King Mswati was seen smiling as the Praise Singer “demonstrates excitement by coming closer to take pictures with him”.
Spokesperson Percy Simelane says foreigners free to touch the King but traditionally, emaSwati are expected to demonstrate respect by not coming closer to the Monarch(pic: MVA).