Matsapha– The responsibility of interpreting His Majesty King Mswati III’s speech at a national event has gained another female name, with Phephile Dlamini becoming the third woman to undertake the prestigious duty during the third edition of National Fire Day celebrations at Matsapha International Airport on October 19,2026.
Phephile, an Aircraft Maintenance Planner at the Royal Eswatini National Airways Corporation (RENAC), where she has worked since May 2020, made her debut as the King’s interpreter before Emakhosikati, Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini, members of the Royal Family, Cabinet Ministers and other dignitaries.
She follows Tandzile Maziya and Tshidi Mdluli, who previously performed the interpreting duty, placing her among the women entrusted with conveying the monarch’s message at a national gathering.
Her debut marked a new chapter in her professional journey, taking her beyond her regular responsibilities in aircraft maintenance planning and into a role that demands concentration, language proficiency and accuracy in communicating the King’s words to the audience.
The assignment also brought attention to women’s participation in a duty of national significance, with Dlamini joining the two women who preceded her.
The celebrations provided the Eswatini National Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services (ENFRES) with an opportunity to showcase its work in protecting lives, property and the environment.
Fire officers demonstrated their snake-catching skills, showing the techniques they use to capture snakes safely after receiving reports from members of the public. Officers also displayed discipline and coordination during the guard of honour and parade before the King and other dignitaries.
The ENFRES cultural regiment, comprising Imbali, Lutsango, Ingaja and Emajaha, also marched past and greeted His Majesty and the nation.
For Dlamini, the occasion marked her first assignment interpreting the King’s speech and established her place among the women who have performed the distinguished duty at national events.
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