15 wives, 100 servants and a private jet: Eswatini’s King Mswati III’s lavish arrival in Abu Dhabi draws backlash

An old video showing King Mswati III of Eswatini arriving in Abu Dhabi has reignited criticism of the monarch’s extravagant lifestyle. The clip, which first surfaced in July, captures the African ruler stepping off a private jet dressed in traditional attire, followed by several elegantly dressed women and a large entourage.

A text overlay on the video reads, “Swaziland king arrived at Abu Dhabi with 15 wives and 100 servants. His father, King Sobhuza II, had 125 wives.” Reports also claim that King Mswati was accompanied by 30 of his children during the trip. The size of the royal delegation reportedly caused temporary disruption at the airport, with security officials closing multiple terminals to accommodate the group.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by FUN FACTORSS 1M™ (@fun_factorss)

Story continues below Advertisement

Remove Ad

The footage has sparked a wave of criticism online, as users pointed out the stark contrast between King Mswati III’s opulence and the poverty endured by most of his citizens. One user remarked, “All this while his people have no electricity or running power,” while another questioned, “Is this a rich enough country to afford a private jet?”

Others were even more scathing. “This person roams in private jets while his people starve to death,” wrote one commenter. Another added, “And they want money to feed children in Africa.” One user took a lighter tone, asking, “Is there any coordinator in his house to manage all his wives?”

A king of wealth and controversy

King Mswati III, Africa’s last absolute monarch, has ruled the small southern African kingdom since 1986. Reports estimate his personal fortune at more than $1 billion. Despite this, Eswatini faces deep social and economic distress. The World Bank recorded that unemployment rose from 23 percent to 33.3 percent in 2021, while inflation and shortages of basic goods have worsened living conditions.

Public hospitals often run out of medicines, the education system is underfunded, and many university students struggle to continue their studies without donations. Meanwhile, the king holds stakes in a range of industries, including construction, tourism, agriculture, telecommunications, and forestry, according to Swaziland News.

King Mswati’s wealth and traditional practices have long drawn both fascination and outrage. He is known to select a new bride each year during the Reed Dance ceremony, a cultural event that blends age-old ritual with royal spectacle.

While the royal family continues to live in extraordinary luxury, most of Eswatini’s citizens face a far harsher reality. Reports suggest that nearly 60 percent of the population lives below the poverty line, underscoring the vast gap between the monarch’s wealth and his people’s struggles.