The Kingdom of Swaziland is shaken after the mighty lion known as Ingwenyama confessed he had COVID-19. He made the announcement during the 3^rd session of the 11^th parliament, taking the opportunity to make a testimonial for one specific drug he claims saved him. With a bejewelled necklace around his neck, known in siSwati as a ligcebesha and usually made of beads, and a red kanga on his torso, the mouth that never lies made history by admitting his temporary vulnerability.

Mama I Made It!

The word Ingwenyama, a name referring to His Majesty’s traditional office, literally means lion. Swazi law and custom portrays the king as this strong, infallible, and downright perfect figure, but what he said yesterday seemed to prove that he’s just like any other person. Although we all know that COVID is a virus, not a bacteria, His Majesty has said that an antibacterial drug from Taiwan is an effective treatment against the virus, speaking from experience of course.

On the first week of January, the king tested positive, it is then that Swaziland really came to discover this wonder drug. Mswati went on record thanking the president of Taiwan for sending the treatment that saved his life. His Highness then informed the nation that the government has been given the order to supply the country with the drug, known as Remdesivir. Minister Lizzie Nkosi did confirm the king’s announcement, but she mentioned that the treatment wouldn’t go mainstream as yet due to its scarcity. “We are finalising protocol for medicines regulator’s approval. The amounts we have are available for ICU doctors and can only be administered through IV (drip)”said the Minister.

Guess Who's Back?

This publication's sources in the kingdom quoted the Mswati as having said his being positive has been to illuminate the existence of Remdevir. His Majesty has said that he wanted to disclose his positive status, but just when he was about to do so; he found out he was negative. “However, the protocol of the drug requires that you take it for 10 days while the practise for COVID-19 says, be on medication for two weeks. I therefore, remained in hospital after the 10 days to satisfy the doctors that everything was okay, and we thank God they found that I had fully recovered,” His Royal Highness said.

The Swazi head of state didn’t stop there, in his long-awaited address; he acknowledged the existence of other vaccines developed by many nations and said that Swaziland was going to take all the help it can get. “We have already instructed government to acquire these vaccines for our people as soon as possible. The processes of accessing them have been put in place. However, it may take a while as they are not easily available. Therefore, we are still making concerted efforts to finding the right vaccine that will really deal with this particular problem,” the absolute monarch reassured.

Are you relieved the king has recovered from the virus? Do you believe every word he said? Where do you think he caught the virus? Make a kingly confession in the comments below, keep social distancing but don't be antisocial, and FOLLOW FOR EVERYTHING KING MSWATI!