King Mswati hosts Ayorkor Botchwey at Grand Festival

Botchwey, was a special guest of King Mswati III of Eswatini, at the annual Buganu festival commemorating the Marula fruit harvest, one of the biggest events of the southern African kingdom’s national calendar.

King Mswati presided over the ceremony at Hlane, 95 km south-west of the capital, Mbabane, with their revered Queen Mother Ntfombi Tfwala, seated on the dais alongside Madam Botchwey who was dressed in the orange celebratory bare-shoulder “Lihiya” attire.

The 55-year-old King also held in-camera bilateral discussions with Madam Botchwey and hosted a banquet for her and dignitaries at his palace at Hlane.

She also delivered a special message from President Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo.

Madam Botchwey and the Eswatini foreign minister, Madam Pholile Dlamini-Shakantu, also joined the Lushango in the celebratory dance in the flood-lit arena.

The Marula fruit, centre-piece of the festival, is the source of the Swazi staple Buganu alcoholic beverage

It is also the fruit from which the creamy alcoholic drink, “Amarula” is distilled.