Swaziland Now Has a New Name
If you were planning a trip to Swaziland, well you're not anymore. The Southern African country will be known as the Kingdom of eSwatini from here on out. To mark the country's 50 years of independence, King Mswati III, one of the world's last remaining absolute monarchs, declared the country's new name.
The kingdom of eSwatini is one of the world's last remaining absolute monarchies with King Mswati III ruling by decree since 1986. King Mswati III announced the name change during an independence day celebration in the city of Manzini on Thursday.
"African countries on getting independence reverted to their ancient names before they were colonised," he told the crowd, according to Agence France-Presse. "So from now on, the country will officially be known as the Kingdom of eSwatini."
The country gained independence from Britain in 1968 and has since kept the name. However, according to BBC News, this is not the first mention of the new name. In 2017, King Mswati III referred to his country as the Kingdom of eSwatini in an address to the United Nations.
Swaziland will now join the list of other African countries that changed their names following their independence. Some of those countries include: Malawi, which was known as Nyasaland prior to independence in 1964, Zambia was previously known as Northern Rhodesia, Botswana was formerly known as Bechuanaland, Lesotho, which was formerly known as Basutoland and Zimbabwe, which was previously Rhodesia.
H/T: NPR
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app