1. Early Life and Background
Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini's early life was rooted in Eswatini, where he was born into a family with connections to the royal lineage, and he pursued a comprehensive education that laid the groundwork for his future career in business.
1.1. Birth and Family
Dlamini was born on March 5, 1968, in Mbekelweni, located in Eswatini's Manzini Region. He was a descendant of the House of Dlamini, the royal family of Eswatini. His great-grandfather, Prince Malunge, was an uncle to Sobhuza II, who reigned as King for over 80 years. Dlamini was the son of Chief Mandvulo.
1.2. Education
Dlamini completed his secondary education at Salesian High School in Manzini, graduating in 1987. He then pursued higher education at the University of Swaziland, where he earned a degree in commerce. Furthering his academic qualifications, he obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia, United States.
2. Career
Before his unexpected entry into the political arena as Prime Minister, Ambrose Dlamini built a robust professional career spanning nearly two decades in the private sector, primarily in the financial and telecommunications industries.
2.1. Finance Career
Dlamini dedicated over 18 years of his career to the banking sector, holding various managerial positions. He worked as a consultant at Standard Bank before joining Nedbank. From 2003 to 2010, he served as the managing director of Nedbank, a prominent financial institution.
2.2. Telecommunications Career
Following his tenure at Nedbank, Dlamini transitioned to the telecommunications industry. From 2010 to 2018, he held the position of CEO of MTN Eswatini, a subsidiary of the South African telecommunications giant, MTN Group. During his leadership at MTN Eswatini, he supported and approved the company's sponsorship of the MTN SWAMA Awards, a ceremony organized by the Eswatini Arts and Music Association (SWAMA).
3. Prime Minister of Eswatini
Ambrose Dlamini's political career began with his appointment as Prime Minister by King Mswati III, a decision that marked him as the youngest individual to hold the office without prior government experience, leading to both policy initiatives and significant criticism.
3.1. Appointment and Background
On October 27, 2018, King Mswati III announced Dlamini's appointment as the next Prime Minister during a gathering at the royal kraal in Lobamba, following the 2018 Swazi general election. Dlamini succeeded Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini, who had passed away the previous month. Ambrose Dlamini was officially sworn into office on October 29, 2018. At 50 years old, he became the youngest head of government in Eswatini's history. Notably, he had no prior experience in government or politics before this appointment, having spent his entire career in the private sector. The 11th cabinet, formed in November, consisted of 18 members (12 male, 6 female), including Themba N. Masuku as Deputy Prime Minister, Thuli Dladla as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Princess Sikhanyiso Dlamini, the King's daughter, as Minister of Information, Communication, and Technology.
3.2. Government Policies and Activities
Upon assuming office, Prime Minister Dlamini declared his commitment to an "economic recovery" plan for Eswatini. His government implemented austerity measures, including the reuse of his predecessor's official vehicle, a ban on first class air travel for politicians and government employees, and restrictions on official international travel, all aimed at cutting nonessential government expenses. He also focused on improving the country's ease of doing business ranking and supporting economic diversification. In 2020, he published opinion pieces in *Business Day* and the *Financial Mail*, outlining his plans for economic development. In August 2019, Dlamini visited Japan to participate in the 7th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VII), where he met with then-Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
3.3. Public Health Contributions
Beyond economic policies, Dlamini also played a significant role in public health initiatives within Eswatini. He served as the head of the National AIDS Council. Additionally, he was involved with Eswatini's Country Coordinating Mechanism for The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, an international financing organization dedicated to combating AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
3.4. Criticism and Controversy
Dlamini's appointment and some of his government's actions faced notable criticism. The U.S. Ambassador to Eswatini, Lisa J. Peterson, publicly stated that Dlamini's appointment was unconstitutional because he was not a member of the House of Assembly at the time of his selection. This criticism highlighted concerns about the democratic legitimacy of the appointment process under the absolute monarchy. Furthermore, his government's decision to suspend cost of living adjustments for public sector employees led to significant public unrest, with civil servants clashing with police during salary protests in 2019. Critics also pointed to the general non-democratic nature of the election and appointment process in Eswatini.
4. Personal Life
Ambrose Dlamini was married to Portia Thwala-Dlamini. Together, they had three children: Nosipho, Mihla, and Tanele. His family lineage connected him to the royal House of Dlamini, as his great-grandfather, Prince Malunge, was an uncle to King Sobhuza II.
5. Death
Ambrose Dlamini's death marked a somber moment globally, as he became the first head of government to die from COVID-19 while in office.
5.1. COVID-19 Infection and Death
Dlamini had diabetes, a pre-existing health condition. On November 15, 2020, he tested positive for COVID-19 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in Eswatini. Eight days later, on November 23, he was hospitalized after developing mild symptoms. In early December, he was transferred to a hospital in South Africa for further treatment. At the time of his transfer, Deputy Prime Minister Themba N. Masuku stated that Dlamini was in stable condition and responding to treatment. However, Dlamini's condition deteriorated, and he died on December 13, 2020, at the age of 52, due to complications from COVID-19. His passing made him the first sitting head of government in the world to die from the pandemic. Following his death, his family refuted claims of poisoning, affirming that he died from COVID-19 complications.
6. Assessment and Impact
Ambrose Dlamini's tenure as Prime Minister of Eswatini, though brief, was significant for several reasons. His appointment by King Mswati III, a business executive with no prior political experience, underscored the unique political landscape of Eswatini, an absolute monarchy where the King holds ultimate authority. The constitutional questions raised by the U.S. Ambassador regarding his appointment highlighted ongoing concerns about democratic principles and governance in the country.
Dlamini's focus on economic recovery, including austerity measures and efforts to improve the ease of doing business, aimed to stabilize Eswatini's economy. However, these policies, particularly the suspension of cost-of-living adjustments for public sector employees, led to social unrest and opposition, reflecting the challenges of balancing national finances with public welfare. His contributions to public health, particularly his leadership in the National AIDS Council and involvement with The Global Fund, demonstrated a commitment to addressing critical health issues in Eswatini.
His death from COVID-19 was a globally significant event, marking him as the first head of government to die in office due to the pandemic. This tragic event brought international attention to Eswatini and the severity of the global health crisis. Following his death, Deputy Prime Minister Themba N. Masuku served as acting prime minister for nearly seven months, as per the Constitution of Eswatini, until King Mswati III appointed Cleopas Dlamini as the new Prime Minister in July 2021. Dlamini's legacy remains intertwined with his efforts to modernize Eswatini's economy and address public health challenges within the context of a monarchical system that faced scrutiny regarding its democratic practices.