Eswatini (Swaziland) PM Ambrose Dlamini Passes Away Due to Covid-19

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his condolences to the government and people of the Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) following the sad death of Eswatini Prime Minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini at the age of 52.

PM Dlamini passed away yesterday – Sunday, 13 December 2020 – while being treated for COVID-19 in a hospital in South Africa. He had tested positive for the coronavirus four weeks ago, and been moved to a South African hospital a fortnight ago.

Just eight months ago, PM Dlamini had tweeted good wishes for a speedy recovery from Covid-19 to the UK’s PM Boris Johnson. Dlamini said: “Our thoughts are with the people of Great Britain and his loved ones. We believe that God will save the world from this scourge that has gripped our planet.”

President Ramaphosa today offered his condolences to the family and friends of the late Prime Minister, the Swazi royal family, the government of the kingdom, and the nation at large.

“Today, all South Africans and compatriots across our continent bow our heads in sadness at the passing of a leader who took pride in leading and representing his nation. His untimely passing is also a tragic reminder of the indiscriminate harm that is in our midst in the form COVID-19. May his soul rest in peace,” said the President

The PM’s death was announced late last night when Deputy Prime Minister Themba Masuku said in a statement: “Their majesties have commanded that I inform the nation of the sad and untimely passing away of His Excellency the Prime Minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini. His Excellency passed on this afternoon while under medical care in a hospital in South Africa. Government in collaboration with the family will keep the nation informed of subsequent arrangements. May his soul rest in peace.”

Tributes have poured in, including this from Eswatini businessman Moses Nkwanyana who said: “So sad to have lost such a young man with great wisdom coupled with integrity The nation has been robbed of a bright future and a God fearing man…”

On Friday Eswatini’s Minister of Health, Lizzie Nkosi, announced that Eswatini has entered its second wave of #COVID19 infections. As of this weekend there had been 127 deaths in the country, 6768 total cases and 6379 total recoveries.