In his Good Friday message, Mswati said Eswatini would not recognise same‑sex relationships or marriages, describing them as the “spirit of Sodom and Gomorrah”. Reports have also emerged that Minister of Education Owen Nxumalo warned pupils could face expulsion if found engaging in same‑sex relationships.
Speaking to Channel Africa on Tuesday, ESGM Co‑Director for programmes and advocacy Sisanda Mavimbela said the organisation was “exceptionally upset” by the remarks, given the weight such statements carry in an absolute monarchy. “Words like these coming from a king have a serious impact on what happens to people on the ground,” Mavimbela said. “We have seen this before.”
She cited a recent case in which six schoolgirls were expelled after similar remarks by education officials. The school principal made the decision shortly before retiring. ESGM intervened after families sought help, engaging the Eswatini Human Rights Commission. The girls have since been reinstated, but Mavimbela said the damage extended beyond that case. “We are now hearing from children being bullied at school,” she said. “This is much bigger than leadership realises.”
Mavimbela warned that such rhetoric legitimises discrimination and violence, making it harder for sexual and gender minorities to access basic services such as education, healthcare and identity documents. She said hate crimes, including corrective rape, remain a serious concern in a country already struggling with gender‑based violence.
She also expressed fears that the remarks could embolden further legal and administrative restrictions. ESGM and other LGBTIQ+ organisations have faced repeated refusals to register, despite High Court rulings affirming freedom of association.
Looking ahead, ESGM called for meaningful dialogue with national leadership and policymakers, alongside continued community education. “Many Swatis are understanding once they have information,” Mavimbela said. “The real disconnect is with leadership. We are calling on them to engage with us and understand the real impact of these statements.”
–ChannelAfrica–
