Saturday, May 24, 2008 Swaziland king in Cebu for ‘historic’ visit
WITH hopes of “more concrete” relations with the Philippines, the King of Swaziland arrived in Cebu yesterday afternoon in what officials said is a “historical first visit.”
King Mswati III, his wife Queen Lankhambule and their two-year-old child Princess Bhubeletive were welcomed by Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia and Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Fransisco Benedicto amid heavy rains.
Swaziland Ambassador to the Philippines Mpumelelo J. N. Hilophe said this is the first time that a head of state from their country has visited the Philippines.
Sinulog dancers greeted them as they disembarked from the plane at around 5:45 p.m. at the Mactan Cebu International Airport, where they were also given military honors.
First stop
Cebu is the first stop in the king’s six-day visit to the Philippines. He is scheduled to meet with President Arroyo in Malacañang on Sunday, and will be in Cebu for a two-day vacation before his trip to Manila.
Garcia said that the king expressed interest in Cebu’s tourism and furniture industry. She said the King inquired about the number of tourists that arrive in Cebu each year and where they come from.
“This is really very historic. This is the first time a King has come to Cebu. Cebu is also a very historic place,” Garcia told reporters after welcoming the king.
She said that Mswati chose Cebu as his first destination in the Philippines, just as the Spaniards first stepped into the Philippines on Cebuano shores.
Garcia said the king was “very appreciative” of the warm welcome he received and that Swazis consider the rain a “blessing.”
Mswati and President Arroyo are scheduled to discuss economic relations between the two countries. The king will also
have a working breakfast with Filipino businessmen on May 27.
Relations
Swaziland, a landlocked country in southern Africa, is also home to many Filipinos who work in the garments and textile industry and in the field of education and medicine.
Philippine Ambassador to Southern Africa Virgilio Reyes, Jr. said the Philippines is also capable of providing Swaziland with technical assistance in the kingdom’s sugar industry.
“Relations between our two countries have always been excellent,” Hilophe said, adding that the king is also “looking forward to being part of this beautiful country.”
Described as the Switzerland of Africa, Swaziland boasts of “a magnificent scenery and creative and hospitable people,” Reyes also said.
The 40-year-old Mswati was born on April 19, 1968, a few months before Swaziland was declared an independent country.
The second among 67 children of the late King Sobhuza II, Mswati was baptized “Makihosetive” at birth, a name that means “king of nations.” (KAB)
