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Boundless Southern Africa Expedition 9

Boundless Southern Africa Expedition 9

Author: Kingsley Holgate
Date: 2017-12-08

KINGDOM OF THE SWAZIS

It makes us feel proud to be Africans and we are humbled by days like today, as Prince Mzweleni Dlamini and the entire Swaziland Cabinet line up on either side of the border at Lavumisa to welcome us into the Kingdom of Swaziland. Drum majorettes lead us to a Boundless Soccer Challenge. There's a military brass band playing the national anthem and wonderful cultural activities, as members of the different Royal Regiments sing and dance.

Minister Ndlovu is a beautiful lady in full Swazi dress and in charge of sports and culture. "Africa's time has come," she says, "Gone are the days of it being referred to as the Dark Continent. The Fifa World Cup is coming to Africa soon, and for the children of Swaziland, I want it to rain soccerballs! The government will be distributing the quantity of 2,010 balls - the first one we'll all sign and hand over today to Kingsley Holgate to carry from here all the way to the Mouth of the Orange River in Namibia."

'Boundless is the greatest opportunitya concept that will enhance our ties with our African neighbours,' writes Macford Sibandze, Swaziland's Minister of Tourism, in the Boundless Scroll. As we are about to sit down for a feast, I get a tap on the shoulder. "It's by royal decree," says Prince Dlamini. "You have been summoned to the Palace in the Valley of the Kings near the capital Mbabane to meet with Ndlovukhazi, the Great She-Elephant."

That evening, the royal praise singer announces the regal entry of the Queen Mother who, dressed in a cowhide, sits down on a white and gold throne, the expedition members (they've been dressed in traditional Swazi cloth) sitting at her feet. She's the most important woman in Swaziland - the spiritual and national head of state. We share the objectives of the expedition with Ndlovukhazi and hand over an illustrated map of our Boundless journey.

Later, we are invited into her private lounge, where we sip on her somewhat potent marula wine. What a great honour! Good old Mama Afrika - always full of surprises - but certainly never dull!