HolidayList
📅 holiday

King Father's Birthday

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

— days to go

The late King Sobhuza II’s birthday falls on 22 July and continues to be commemorated out of respect to the sovereign’s memory. Although he died in 1982, the King Father’s Birthday is kept because of the great importance of Sobhuza II in Eswatini’s history. In 2026, King Father's Birthday falls on Wednesday 22 July. The holiday will be on Thursday 22 July in 2027. King Sobhuza II reigned for 82 years and oversaw the independence of Eswatini from the UK. A regent ruled during his early years, but he still ruled directly for 61 years. Immediately after independence, Eswatini had a constitutional monarchy that limited the king’s powers to a degree. But in 1972, Sobhuza sent Eswatini’s parliament home and decided to rule as absolute monarch. He ruled until his death on 21 August, 1982. Despite taking control as absolute monarch, the people of Eswatini look favourably on King Sobhuza II because he helped the economy to prosper and led in major social changes. He also helped preserve the cultural traditions of his people in the midst of these changes. He is much respected even after his death, and the people remember him as a great Swazi leader every King Father’s Birthday.

History

Although he died in 1982, the King Father’s Birthday is kept because of the great importance of Sobhuza II in Eswatini’s history. King Sobhuza II reigned for 82 years and oversaw the independence of Eswatini from the UK. A regent ruled during his early years, but he still ruled directly for 61 years. Immediately after independence, Eswatini had a constitutional monarchy that limited the king’s powers to a degree. But in 1972, Sobhuza sent Eswatini’s parliament home and decided to rule as absolut

How It's Celebrated

The late King Sobhuza II’s birthday falls on 22 July and continues to be commemorated out of respect to the sovereign’s memory. The holiday will be on Thursday 22 July in 2027. He also helped preserve the cultural traditions of his people in the midst of these changes

Other Years

2026 Wed
22 Jul
2027 Thu
22 Jul
2028 Sat
22 Jul
2025 Tue
22 Jul
2024 Mon
22 Jul

Countries

SZ

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