Mswati III (born
Prince Makhosetive Dlamini on 19 April 1968) is the
current King (
Swazi language:
Ngwenyama or
Ingwenyama) of
Swaziland and head of the
Swazi Royal Family. Mswati was born in Manzini, Swaziland to King
Sobhuza II and one of his younger wives
Ntfombi Tfwala. Mswati was Tfwala’s only child. He attended primary school at Masundvwini Primary School and secondary school at Lozitha Palace School. He then attended from 1983 to 1986
Sherborne School in north-west
Dorset,
England. Makhosetive was crowned Mswati III, Ingwenyama and King of Swaziland on 25 April 1986 at the age of 18, thus becoming the youngest ruling monarch at the time in the world. Together with his mother
Ntfombi Tfwala, now Queen Mother (
Ndlovukati), he rules the country as an absolute monarch. Mswati III is known for his practice of
polygyny (although at least two wives are appointed by the state) and currently has 15 wives. His policies and opulent lifestyle have also triggered domestic protests. Although Mswati is respected and fairly popular in Swaziland, his policies and lavish life style led to local protests and international criticism.