He was born at the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital. Mswati's birth name was Makhosetive - King of Nations. He and his mother lived at one of King Sobhuza's residences of Etjeni near Masundwini Palace. Four months after his birth, Swaziland obtained independency from Britain.
Masundwini Primary School was founded by his father. In 1982 by examination results he got a First Class with merit in Mathematics and English. He became the first young cadet to join the Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force.
Whilst Makhosetive continued his education in England and South Africa.
Makhosetive was crowned Mswati III - King of Swaziland on 25th April 1986 at the age of 18. The king and his mother rule jointly. Today he is Africa's last absolute monarch in the sense that he has the power to choose the prime minister, other top government posts and top traditional posts. Even though, he still has to get special advice from the queen mother and council.
Mswati III has responded by convening a series of commissions to make recommendations for the country's future.
In 2004, Mswati promulgated a new constitution that allows freedom of speech and assembly for the media and public, while retaining the traditional Tinkhundla system.
Mswati's reign has brought some changes in the government and political transformation, but in service of one objective -- strengthening a perpetuating the traditional order. Political transformation and democratization have been construed as threats to the monarchy.
Though Swaziland is most commonly depicted as an absolute monarchy, it is perhaps more accurately described as a modified traditional monarchy with executive, legislative, and limited judicial powers vested ultimately in the king.
Although the King of Swaziland was labeled an “absolute monarch” and a dictator, supporters argue that he is bound by tradition and shares power with the Queen Mother, and is therefore not an "absolute" monarch. Supporters of the King also claim that both the King and the Tinkhundla system are popular in Swaziland, and represent the wishes of the people.
Mswati III's rule can be characterized as a struggle to hold onto power, for not only has the king had to contend with factional conflict within the royal ruling alliance, but he has also had to face challenges from beyond that alliance. The campaign for democracy encompasses broad societal interests, from labour to business.
He managed to achieve some success in creating favorable conditions for small-scale and medium-sized business development. He was able to attract 44 mil dollars of foreign investments to this effect. Mswati The third made efforts for country’s international contacts development and consolidation and for its business climate improvement.
Honours
Grand Master of the Royal Order of King Sobhuza The second (1986).
Grand Master of the Royal Order of the Ndlovukazi (2002).
Grand Master of the Royal Order of the Crown (2002).
Grand Master of the Royal Family Order of Mswati The third (2002).
Grand Master of the Military Order of weSwatini (2002).
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Good Hope (1995).
He is one of many sons of King Sobhuza II and the only child of Ntombi Tfwala. The King currently has thirteen wives and 23 children.
