CALLS GROW FOR KING MSWATI’S REMOVAL AS UNESWA CHANCELLOR AMID INSTITUTIONAL CRISIS

Sibongile Mazibuko, former President of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) and now leader of the Ngwane National Liberatory Congress (NNLC), has called for the immediate removal of King Mswati III as Chancellor of the University of Eswatini (UNESWA). Mazibuko accused the King of contributing to the institution’s collapse and questioned why he holds the position of Chancellor when heads of state in other countries do not occupy similar roles.

“It’s a waste of time to appoint a Task Team and investigate because we know where the problem is—the King must be removed as the Chancellor, and the University must be independent,” Mazibuko said in an interview with Swaziland News. She was responding to the recent announcement by Education Minister Owen Nxumalo of a Task Team led by Ubombo Sugar Limited Managing Director Muzi Siyaya. The Task Team has been tasked with investigating the university’s challenges and making recommendations for its revival.

Mazibuko criticized the Tinkhundla regime for feigning ignorance about the root causes of UNESWA’s financial and operational struggles. She argued that as Chancellor, King Mswati holds undue influence over the institution’s decision-making, which undermines its ability to function effectively. “Even if you appoint highly qualified individuals to administer the University, they can’t take decisions without consulting the King. How can you run a University like that?” she asked.

Drawing comparisons to other countries, Mazibuko noted that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is not the Chancellor of the University of Cape Town, questioning why King Mswati holds such a role. “The University must be autonomous so that decisions are taken by professionals, not the King,” she added.

Mazibuko also reflected on the past stability and success of UNESWA, recalling how students once received allowances of R28,000 annually. She alleged that the current regime has an agenda to weaken the University and the broader education system to keep the population uneducated and unable to challenge authority.

King Mswati’s Spokesperson Percy Simelane dismissed Mazibuko’s remarks, defending the King’s role as Chancellor and rejecting allegations of his involvement in the University’s financial struggles. “The King was not appointed by Sibongile Mazibuko, and she has no authority to remove him,” Simelane said. “We are used to accusations against the King without evidence. A lion does not lose any sleep over decisions made against it by goats and rabbits.” He also attributed the University’s challenges to alleged mismanagement of funds by its administration, stating that the King has no access to UNESWA’s finances.

Meanwhile, Gabie Ndukuya, President of the Swaziland National Union of Students (SNUS), welcomed the announcement of the Task Team but emphasized the immediate need for financial support to stabilize the University’s operations. “The Task Team is a must because there are allegations of misappropriation of funds, and it will bring accountability. But even before that, the University needs money to continue operating,” she said.

UNESWA has faced severe financial and operational difficulties in recent years, with reports of inadequate funding, mismanagement, and declining academic standards. Students and staff have raised concerns about the institution’s ability to fulfill its mandate as a center of higher learning.

Mazibuko’s call for the King’s removal as Chancellor has reignited debates about the monarchy’s role in the governance of national institutions. For many, it reflects broader frustrations with the centralized control of power and resources under the Tinkhundla system.

As the Task Team begins its work, the spotlight remains on the government and UNESWA’s leadership to address the crisis and restore the institution to its former standing. However, for critics like Mazibuko, true reform will require a fundamental shift in the University’s governance, starting with the removal of the monarchy’s influence. The debate over UNESWA’s future is likely to intensify, reflecting the broader struggle for accountability and autonomy in Eswatini’s institutions.