Africa
In Destitute Kingdom, Ruler Lives Like a King
By BARRY BEARAK
The extravagance of Mswati III, the king of Swaziland, is prompting protests from his subjects.
LUDZIDZINI, Swaziland — Once upon a time, a young and handsome king ruled over a land of mountainous splendor near the southern tip of Africa. He liked to marry, and as the years passed he took 13 wives, each of them a great beauty…
Jon Hrusa/European Pressphoto Agency
King Mswati III of Swaziland during the annual Reed Dance preceding the 40-40 Celebration honoring the king’s 40th birthday and the nation’s 40th year of independence.
Our church has a sister church in Swaziland. We have contributed quite a bit and sent people over to work there. Our minister, a computer geek, went over to help them set up a computer network for the church there. There was a Reed dance while he was there. At the Reed dance, all the available girls of the right age are supposed to dance naked, so the King can pick ones he like. Some families try to hide their daughters. Others encourage them to go, because in that incredibly poor country, the King buys his wives a Mercedes. Lots of AIDS there.
Steve