Swazi Observer

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KING, INDLOVUKAZI MEET PRESIDENT MASISI

By NOKUZOLA THWALA | 2021-04-07

HIS Majesty King Mswati III and Her Majesty the Indlovukazi yesterday met with Botswana President Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi. President Masisi arrived in the country for a courtesy visit and leaves tomorrow. Upon his arrival, President Masisi paid Her Majesty the Indlovukazi a courtesy visit at Ludzidzini Royal Residence before proceeding to meet with His Majesty the King in the evening at Lozitha Palace. The president is accompanied by Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation De Lemogang Kwape, candidate for SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi, who is currently Permanent Secretary to the president, Professor Mosipile Mosipile and more. His Majesty and Dr Masisi exchanged gifts. Ingwenyama received a leopard skin complete with a head and the president received a silver rhino head. President Dr Masisi said more gifts await the King in Botswana. “We will give you more when you visit Botswana Your Majesty,” the president said. Indlovukazi and the president also exchanged gifts. She gave the president an elephant sculpture made of glass and a tradition wooden bowl (umgcwembe). Indlovukazi said the presents would remind the president of his visit to the Kingdom of Eswatini. Gifts “Every time you look at this, you will remember the gifts from your mother,” she said. On the other hand, the Botswana president gave a leather bound foot stool that is shaped like an elephant leg to the Queen Mother and a huge basket that he said is traditionally used to store maize in Botswana. “I hope that you will soon undertake a trip to Botswana,” he said. According to Botswana government’s official page BE Presidency, the visit will afford the president the opportunity to engage His Majesty King Mswati III, on issues of mutual interest and concern, particularly in finding common solutions to the socio-economic challenges presented by COVID-19. It states that this will be the second High-Level visit to Eswatini by the president. The last one took place in May 2018, and it provided the two leaders the opportunity to discuss areas of cooperation in health, education, defence and security. During the working visit, the president will also present Botswana’s candidate for the position of SADC Executive Secretary Elias Mpedi Magosi. “From Eswatini, the president will proceed to Maputo, Mozambique, for the Extra-Ordinary Double Troika Summit on April 8, 2021. In attendance will be the SADC Troika Member States, namely Mozambique (current Chair of SADC); Malawi (incoming Chair); United Republic of Tanzania (Outgoing Chair); and SADC Organ Troika Member States which comprise Botswana (current Chair of the SADC Organ); South Africa (incoming Chair); and Zimbabwe (Outgoing Chair). The Summit will discuss the peace and security situation in the region, including measures to address terrorism,” it is stated. Further, the Extra-Ordinary Double Troika Summit, will be preceded by the Organ Extra-Ordinary Troika Summit which will also take place tomorrow as well as, the Meetings of the Organ Troika Ministers of Foreign Affairs; Defence and Security; and senior officials today.

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