By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini says Princess Sikhanyiso played a major role in ensuring that, he becomes the Prime Minister.

This is contained in a leaked communication where the PM was speaking to another high profile person, he was actually speaking about Natural Resources and Energy Minister Prince Lonkhokhela when the name of Princess Sikhanyiso became the subject of the discussion.

“I was thinking that Lonkhokhela is not on my side in Cabinet but I’ve since discovered that, he supports me. Kodvwa-ke bekangeke sekacale angangi-supporthi angacabana naSikhanyiso,” said the Prime Minister.

Russell Dlamini then went on to say the Princess played a huge role in ensuring that, he becomes the Prime Minister. 

But the Prime Minister said, it was his first time to be closer to the King after being appointed adding that, he had never met him in person.

The King mistakenly refereed to Dlamini as ‘Mmemo’ instead of ‘Mmiso’ when appointing him during Sibaya at Ludzidzini Palace in November 2023.

Acting Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli declined to comment about the Prime Minister’s leaked information.

Worth-noting, emaSwati were summoned to Sibaya and urged to debate among themselves(kubhunga) and then advise the King on who should be the Prime Minister.

But soon thereafter, “Emalangeni and BantfwaBeNkhosi held a meeting to discuss who among themselves can take up the top position as Head of Government”.

The royal family is dominated by different factions but it appears that, the Princess Sikhanyiso faction is too powerful as even Prime Minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini was backed by King’s first-born daughter before a fallout.

Princess Sikhanyiso was the Board member at MTN Eswatini while Ambrose Dlamini was the Chief Executive Officer.

Eswatini is not a democracy but an absolute Monarchy, the Prime Minister is appointed by the King among members of his royal family.