Deep in Southern Africa lies Eswatini, a kingdom where one man holds absolute power.

 

 

King Mswati III, the ruler of this small nation, lives a life of extravagance while his people struggle in poverty.

 

With 15 wives and 23 children, his personal life is as much a spectacle as his rule.

 

However, one scandal rocked his reign like never before.

 

His 12th wife, Notando, dared to break royal protocol.

 

She was caught in an affair with none other than the Minister of Justice, a man who was also the king’s childhood friend.

 

 

The betrayal sent shockwaves across the kingdom, but the real question remains – how did the king react?

 

And what was the fate of the forbidden lovers?

 

King Mswati III ascended the throne at just 18 years old, inheriting unchecked power from his father.

 

Over the years, he built a reputation for greed and excess, amassing wealth while his citizens survived on less than a dollar a day.

 

He controlled the economy, sold off land to foreign companies for absurdly low prices, and used state funds to support his lavish lifestyle.

 

Despite the country’s struggles, his harem of wives continued to grow, with new brides carefully selected from beauty pageants and royal

ceremonies.

 

One of those chosen was Notando, a young beauty queen who caught the king’s eye at just 16 years old.

 

Her life seemed like a fairy tale at first, but reality soon turned into a nightmare.

 

Notando quickly fell out of favor as the king moved on to new conquests.

 

 

Lonely and neglected, she found comfort in the arms of Ndumiso Mamba, the Minister of Justice.

 

Unlike Mswati, Mamba was educated, charming, and respectful – qualities Notando had never known in her marriage.

 

The affair was risky, but the lovers took extreme precautions, meeting secretly in a luxury hotel near the palace.

 

Notando even disguised herself in a military uniform to slip past the guards unnoticed.

 

However, nothing escapes the eyes of the king.

 

His informants quickly uncovered the betrayal, and Mswati’s wrath was swift and brutal.

 

Ndumiso Mamba was arrested under the false charge of trespassing on royal property.

 

The accusation was technically legal since the king owned the hotel where the affair took place.

 

But everyone knew this was personal.

 

Mamba was beaten mercilessly by the king’s guards, knocking out nearly all of his teeth before he was dragged into a sham trial.

 

The verdict? Death.

 

King Mswati III ordered his execution, but international pressure from European powers forced him to back down.

 

Instead of execution, Mamba was stripped of his title, his wealth, and his dignity.

 

He was left homeless and destitute – but at least he was alive.

 

 

Notando’s fate, however, was far worse.

 

At first, Mswati appeared merciful, allowing Notando to stay in the palace.

 

But over time, he grew colder toward her, eventually banishing her from the royal quarters.

 

She was no longer a wife – only a prisoner.

 

Then, in March 2019, shocking news broke: Notando was dead at just 31 years old.

 

The official cause? Skin cancer.

 

But suspicions ran high.

 

No one had ever heard of her illness before.

 

There were no reports of medical treatment, no visible signs of disease, and no prior warnings.

 

To many, this “sudden illness” seemed far too convenient.

 

Whispers spread that Notando had met a far more sinister fate at the hands of the king.

 

Her death remains shrouded in mystery, with many believing it was a carefully concealed act of royal vengeance.

 

During her time in the palace, Notando bore three children – one boy and two girls.

 

 

Despite her disgrace, they were officially recognized as royal heirs.

 

Her son, Betive, theoretically has a claim to the throne, but history suggests that power in Eswatini is rarely passed down fairly.

 

King Mswati III himself was not chosen for his merit but simply because he was one of over 200 children of the previous ruler.

 

The question remains – will Eswatini’s next ruler follow in Mswati’s footsteps?

 

 

Or will the cycle of unchecked power, corruption, and disregard for women finally be broken?

 

Only time will tell.