HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER SLAMS KING MSWATI FOR SPLURGING ON SERBIA STUDENTS WHILE UNESWA STRUGGLES

Renowned Eswatini human rights defender Velaphi Mamba has strongly criticized King Mswati III for allegedly spending over R1 million on Eswatini students studying in Serbia, while students and staff at the University of Eswatini (UNESWA) face dire financial challenges. The King reportedly gave R8,000 each to over 100 students from Eswatini, South Africa, and Burundi during a visit, sparking outrage among activists and citizens alike.

Mamba voiced his concerns during his Visionary Perspective Program, where he highlighted the stark disparity between the government’s treatment of students abroad and those at home. “Students in Serbia are not financially struggling, and these are children of the elites,” Mamba said. “Why did the King splash money in Serbia while a university here in Eswatini and its students struggle?”

UNESWA, the country’s premier institution of higher learning, has long been plagued by financial instability, inadequate resources, and insufficient funding. Students frequently go without necessary materials, while academic staff face delayed salaries and poor working conditions. Protests and petitions from UNESWA students have gone unanswered, further fueling resentment against the monarchy’s spending priorities.

The King’s gesture in Serbia, which was reported by state-owned radio and later confirmed by Swaziland News, underscores the stark inequalities in Eswatini’s education system. Critics argue that the funds could have been better utilized to address pressing issues within UNESWA, including improving infrastructure, providing financial aid to struggling students, and ensuring timely payment for university staff.

Mamba’s criticism is part of a broader conversation about the monarchy’s use of public funds. King Mswati has often been accused of prioritizing lavish spending on international trips, royal ceremonies, and personal luxuries, while neglecting the needs of ordinary citizens. The reported R1 million splurge on students abroad has further cemented this perception, highlighting the disconnect between the monarchy and the realities faced by the majority of Swazis.

Students at UNESWA, who have been vocal about their grievances, expressed anger and disappointment over the King’s actions. “We are here, struggling to pay for basic necessities, attending classes without proper resources, and facing delayed allowances, while money is being handed out to students abroad who don’t face the same hardships,” said one student, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal.

Mamba’s remarks also shed light on the broader systemic inequalities in Eswatini, where the monarchy’s actions often benefit the elite at the expense of the general population. The students studying in Serbia, according to Mamba, are predominantly from privileged backgrounds, further reinforcing the perception that the monarchy serves a select few.

The situation at UNESWA is emblematic of the broader challenges facing Eswatini’s education sector. Chronic underfunding, mismanagement, and a lack of political will have left many institutions in a state of disrepair. Meanwhile, students and educators bear the brunt of these failures, with little hope of meaningful intervention from the government.

This latest controversy has reignited calls for accountability and transparency in the management of public funds. Activists, educators, and students are demanding that the government prioritize education within the country, rather than diverting resources to projects and gestures that have little impact on the majority of Swazis.

Mamba’s criticism reflects the growing frustration among citizens who feel left behind by a government that appears more concerned with maintaining appearances abroad than addressing domestic challenges. His call for change is a reminder that the fight for justice and equality in Eswatini extends beyond political reforms—it is also about ensuring that every Swazi has access to quality education and the opportunities it provides.

The controversy surrounding the King’s spending in Serbia is yet another example of the monarchy’s misplaced priorities. For students at UNESWA and across the country, the message is clear: their struggles are being ignored. The demand for change, driven by voices like Mamba’s, is growing louder, as Swazis push for a future where education is a right, not a privilege reserved for the few.