King Mswati and 16th wife Nomcebo Zuma’s trip to gobble up US$11 million – Nehanda Radio

King Mswati of Eswatini’s trip, in which he is accompanied by his 16th wife Nomcebo Zuma, the newly married daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, will come at a high cost to the kingdom’s citizens, devouring more of 200 million rands. 11 million US dollars).

Mswati is currently on a whirlwind private jet tour with Nomcebo, and the trip abroad will be her introduction to the world.

According to eSwatini-based publication, Swaziland News, King Mswati left the country on Sunday and attended the World Food Forum held in Italy.

He is expected to go to Serbia for a state visit before attending the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa.

When concerns were raised about the financial cost of the trip, Mswati’s spokesman Percy Simelane told the publication that his office “does not manage the finances or allowances for the king and his delegation. He referred the comments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs”.

The publication alleged that Zuma’s daughter included her friends and family in the delegation for what is her first official working trip.

The 56-year-old king has led Africa’s last absolute monarchy since taking power in 1986, days after his 18th birthday, and has been criticized for his lavish lifestyle while most of the population live in poverty

Nomcebo Zuma was recently introduced as the 16th wife of the king. Jacob Zuma, a polygamist himself, has not approved of the marriage and did not attend the couple’s engagement or wedding.

King Mswati III reportedly paid lobola amounting to R2 million and 100 head of cattle.