Ugee

Mswati III arrived in the stadium framed by mountains in the capital Mbabane in a brand new BMW - one of 20 bought just for the occassion. The king, dressed in traditional clothing and wearing a beaded necklace, was welcomed by cheering, flag-waving supporters. "We all trust him," said a young man with a front-row seat, also in traditional dress.

"He's a good man. He believes in his country. He loves everybody. We are all like the royal family." The king has a taste for the finer things in life - something he shares with his 13 wives.
 
Some of them arrived for the "40-40" celebrations fresh from a shopping trip to Dubai. With marching bands and dancing troupes, and a garden party to follow, it was a party fit for a king.

It was attended by many other high ranking Diginitaries including The presidents of Botwana and Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe.

But critics in the country have argued that the impoverished country raved by hiv and aids can ill afford such a lavish extravaganza. The official budget is $2.5m but some estimates claim the real cost could be five times that. They argue that such money could have been better spent elsewhere - on education, on health, and on saving lives.

For two days this week trade unions and civic groups took to the streets in protest calling for change and for multi-party democracy. "We condemn this party with the contempt it deserves," said Swazi Trade Union leader Jan Sithole, as he marched in the capital.

"People feel so strongly because this is a plundering of the country's resources in the height of grinding poverty for most of the Swazi masses. "People feel their money is being wasted, with arrogance."

Tengetile Hlope believes poverty is the reality of life for many in rural Swaziland, four decades on.  "I feel like I am just celebrating 40 years of poverty and hunger in this country," she said.

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