各国名人英文介绍-King Mswati III（在线收听）

King Mswati III of Swaziland became leader of his country in 1986. His real name is Makhosetive, which means King of Nations. As a young prince, he developed a keen interest in the Royal Guard, the soldiers that protect his kingdom. He became the first Swazi royal to join the Swaziland Defence Force.

His father died of pneumonia in 1982. The royal family chose 14-year-old prince Makhosetive to be the next king. He spent four years training for his new position, while attending an elite school in England. He was crowned King of Swaziland on April 25, 1986, aged 18 years and 6 days. At that time, he was the youngest reigning monarch in the world.

Today, Mswati III is Africa's last absolute monarch. This means he has the power to choose his own government. He can also choose his own wives and currently has thirteen. His first two wives were chosen for him by national councilors, following Swazi customs and traditions. He can only marry his fiancées after they have fallen pregnant, so they can prove they can have children.

The world’s media often criticizes the King. He leads a luxurious lifestyle and spends a fortune on luxury cars, while his people live in poverty. His mishandling of the country’s HIV/AIDS crisis came under heavy criticism. He wanted those with AIDS sterilized and branded. He also called for a five year ban on sex. He did not follow this, instead marrying five more wives.