The memorial service for Princess Lindiwe Fortunate Dlamini was held recently, with attendees remembering her life of faith, family, prayer, and service to the kingdom. According to her brother, Prince Gcina, Princess Lindiwe's life demonstrated how faith and national service could bring the church and the nation closer together. Her Christian journey began during her teenage years under the ministry of Pastor Ginindza.
Princess Lindiwe's faith was strengthened through the influence of Pastor Mashicila Dlamini, who discipled her and her siblings, teaching them to call upon the name of Jesus in times of difficulty or uncertainty. Her commitment to prayer continued into her work at Jesus Calls Worship Centre International, where she regularly anchored the ministry's annual 21 days of prayer and fasting.
The obituary read during the memorial service stated that prayer for the kingdom had been cultivated in Princess Lindiwe from childhood. Her father, His Majesty King Sobhuza II, would send his children to the mountain to pray for the nation. Princess Lindiwe, along with her siblings, would also gather at the national church to intercede for the kingdom.
In 1987, His Majesty King Mswati III commissioned Princess Lindiwe to develop the national prayer initiative on a broader scale, which grew into a national tradition of opening and concluding the year with prayer. This initiative reflected her dedication to both her faith and her country.
Beyond her faith, Princess Lindiwe devoted much of her professional life to serving the nation. She began her career at Tibiyo TakaNgwane before joining Liqoqo, the Swazi National Council, and later entered Cabinet as Minister of Home Affairs. During her tenure, she contributed to the modernization of the ministry and the management of the kingdom's borders, records, and national life.
Among Princess Lindiwe's achievements was the transformation of the Ngwenya Border Post into a 24-hour facility and the launch of an electronic visa portal. She also played a role in efforts to end statelessness, with Eswatini becoming the first country in the region to commit to ending statelessness. During her tenure, 17 refugee families were granted citizenship.
Princess Lindiwe was born on March 8, 1966, in Manzini Nazarene, Eswatini, to His Majesty King Sobhuza II and Inkhosikati Gogo LaMgunundcu. She is survived by her husband, Bishop Kasaro, and their children. The obituary described her as a daughter of the royal house, servant of the kingdom, woman of prayer, evangelist, worshipper, counsellor, and peacemaker.
Key points
- Princess Lindiwe Fortunate Dlamini was remembered for her life of faith and national service in Eswatini.
- She contributed to significant developments in the Ministry of Home Affairs, including the modernization of border management and the launch of an electronic visa portal.
- Princess Lindiwe played a crucial role in efforts to end statelessness in Eswatini, with 17 refugee families granted citizenship during her tenure.
