King of Swaziland changes name of country to 'the Kingdom of eSwatini'

The king of Swaziland, King Mswati III has announced that his country's name has changed to "the Kingdom of eSwatini" meaning "place of the Swazi", eSwatini is the Swazi language name for the country.

There are not many people in the world who are able to change the name of a nation. But King Mswati can - he is one of the world's few absolute monarchs.

The declaration by King Mswati III on Thursday was made during celebrations marking the monarch's birthday as well as 50 years of independence from British colonial rule. 

I would like to announce that Swaziland will now revert to its original name, the king said at a packed sports stadium in Manzini, the country's second city.

African countries on getting independence reverted to their ancient names before they were colonised. So from now on the country will be officially be known as the Kingdom of eSwatini, he added.

The tiny landlocked nation in southern Africa gained full independence in 1968, after being a British protectorate since the early 1900s. But unlike some countries, it did not change its name.

The name Swaziland angered some citizens as it is a mix of Swazi and English.

The move has been mooted for several years, with legislators considering the issue in 2015. Mswati III has used the new name in previous official speeches.