Meet eSwatini’s rapping royal Princess Sikhanyiso: the daughter of King Mswati III released a single under the alias Pashu and had some wild teenage experiences ...
- A modern-day princess of Africa’s last absolute monarchy, Princess Sikhanyiso Dlamini studied in the UK, California, US and at Sydney University in Australia
- She composed the song Hail Your Majesty in honour of her dad, and gave birth to son Phikolwezwe Kukhanya Phasika Elihu Dlamini, or ‘Phiko’, last year
In recent months, eSwatini – a landlocked country in southern Africa headed by King Mswati III and formerly known as Swaziland – has been making headlines due to widespread protests for constitutional reforms.
Princess Sikhanyiso Dlamini, the monarch’s eldest daughter, has spoken out in defence of the small African kingdom, which remains the last absolute monarchy on the continent.
The 33-year-old royal may be just one of her father’s reported 36 children, but she sure knows how to stand out. From speaking out against some of her homeland’s traditions to pursuing a rap career, get to know her better through these fast facts.
She studied abroad
At a young age, Princess Sikhanyiso was already sent abroad to pursue her studies. She attended St Edmund’s College in the United Kingdom before studying drama at Biola University in California.
The young royal then decided to further her education Down Under where she received her master’s degree in digital communication from Sydney University. At the time, News.com.au reported that the royal student lived incognito in a modest flat and did her own cooking.
Teenage rebellion