King Maloyi III’s growing public profile has left some people wondering how another king can exist in a country ruled by King Mswati III, writes Celani Sikhakhane in Royals Mzansi.

If you have seen a young king from eSwatini appearing on social media and wondered whether King Mswati III suddenly has competition, the answer lies deep in royal history.

King Sibonelo Maloyi III of the Mamba clan is only 23, but his public appearances at ceremonies and community gatherings have brought new attention to an unusual royal arrangement.

The Mamba kingship is often described as a “kingship within a kingship”.

Its roots go back to an agreement in the 1800s between King Sobhuza I and Mamba leader Maloyi I.

That agreement gave the Mamba leadership at Ngudzeni a special traditional position.

The Mamba ruler could maintain his own royal kraal, lead certain cultural ceremonies and exercise authority within the clan while still recognising the wider rule of the Swazi monarch.

That is why King Maloyi III can perform royal duties without being a rival to King Mswati III.

He was introduced as the Mamba king in October 2022 and received recognition and blessings from King Mswati.

His growing profile has also caused confusion in South Africa because the Mamba clan stretches across the border.

Eight Mamba traditional leaders in South Africa recognise King Maloyi as their senior traditional authority.

This makes the Mamba story another reminder that African royal borders and identities are often far older than the modern borders drawn between countries.

King Maloyi’s role is therefore not about creating another national monarch in eSwatini.

It is about preserving an old royal agreement that has allowed the Mamba people to keep their own traditions and leadership for generations.

And as the young king becomes more visible, more people are discovering just how layered southern Africa’s royal history really is.

Pictured above: King Maloyi III of the Mamba clan was introduced as king in 2022 and leads a traditional kingship within eSwatini.

Image source: Mamba Kingdom