Africa’s last absolute monarch, Swaziland’s King Mswati III, has deferred the re-opening of schools by a week to next Tuesday as schoolboys have not finished weeding royal fields, an official said on Monday.
Acting Education Minister Themba Msibi announced the royal directive in Mbabane, saying the objective was to allow schoolboys in royal regiments ”to complete royal duties assigned to them by the king”.
The weeding of the royal fields is part of the annual sacred Swazi Incwala ceremony, which begins with the eating of first fruit and ends with the weeding of the king’s fields.
The royal command has affected more than 30 000 students and left many parents perplexed as they had already prepared to send their children to school on Tuesday.
The Swazi king is no stranger to controversy.
He recently attracted sweeping criticism for ordering new palaces worth $14-million for his 10 wives and two fiancees at a time when the country faces a deficit of around $145-million.
The king has also been slammed for ordering a $45-million royal jet, whose purchase was later scrapped.
Despite the royal decree, the king’s two daughters and son, Princesses Sikhanyiso and TeMaswati and Prince Lindani, recently left for London where they are studying.
Prince Lindani, who is a member of the royal regiments, did not stay behind to complete the weeding of royal fields as per tradition.
Mario Masuku, the leader of Swaziland’s opposition and a parent, said the king’s directive was reprehensible.
”I have no problem with culture, but it should be dynamic and must not supersede daily routines that makes the country tick.
”Such behaviour deserves to be condemned at all costs. This is a clear sign of absolute dictatorship.”
Some others also voiced their discontent.
Jane Dlamini, mother of a secondary school pupil, said weeding was not part of the curriculum.
”Now I have to start afresh and bake for my daughter and prepare new food parcels,” she complained.
However, some private schools in Swaziland ignored the order and began classes on Monday. – Sapa-AFP