Eswatini: The Kingdom That Reclaimed Its Name

Tucked between South Africa and Mozambique lies Eswatini, one of Africa’s smallest but proudest kingdoms. Until 2018, it was widely known as Swaziland, a name inherited from the colonial era. But behind this name lies a story of royal legacy, cultural pride, and national identity.

The name Swazi was the Anglicized version of Mswati II, the legendary 19th-century king who ruled from 1840 to 1868 and is credited with building the nation. His leadership unified the Swazi people and laid the foundation for what would become a resilient and sovereign nation.

For decades, under British protectorate rule and even after independence, the country retained the colonial-era name "Swaziland." Its administrative center, Mbabane, served as the hub for colonial governance. Nearby, the cultural heart of the nation—Lobamba—remains home to the monarchy, with Phondvo, just 11 miles away, serving as the seat of King Mswati III and the Queen Mother.

In April 2018, during celebrations marking 50 years of independence, King Mswati III made a historic announcement: Swaziland would officially be renamed Eswatini, which means “Land of the Swazis” in the local siSwati language.

Why the change? In the words of the king, it was time to break free from the confusion between Swaziland and Switzerland, and more importantly, to embrace a name rooted in the kingdom’s native tongue and heritage.

Today, Eswatini stands as a powerful example of a country reclaiming its identity, a reminder that names are more than labels. They are stories, they are history, and they are a source of pride.