The Swaziland monarch – King Mswati III – has reiterated his directive for the country’s men to marry at least five wives.
The King specifically asked the men to marry at least five wives each, assuring them that government would foot their marriage expenses, and buy houses for them.
“Here’s the deal, marry at least five wives and you’re assured that the government will pay for the marriage ceremonies and buy houses for them.”
King Mswati warned that any man or woman who opposes the decision “will face a life sentence”.
The order, according to local media reports, is to ensure that every woman gets a husband as it is believed that men taking more wives will help women get their life partners.
The monarch lamented that there are more women than men in Swaziland, which he noted as a very serious problem for a country known to be full of virgins.
King Mswati himself has 15 wives and 25 children, while his father and predecessor had no fewer than 70 wives and over 150 children.
But the monarch has recently added another dimension to his request.
On February 8, 2024, in a memo to Southern African Nations titled “A Call for Swaziland Citizenship”, King Mswati wrote:
With reference to the King Mswati III’s Swaziland King’s public declaration that his nation is greatly concerned with the scarcity of men, is therefore informing the citizens from Southern African nations to apply for nationality in Swaziland.
“I, King Mswati III, the King of Swaziland, invite citizens from Southern African Nations to apply for nationality in my land, Therefore, here’s the deal. Marry at least five wives and you’re assured that my government will pay for the marriage ceremonies and buy houses for you.
“Application forms for this exercise are obtained in all public offices of all Southern African Nations excluding Malawi.”
The memo was signed personally by King Msawti III.
