BY THEMBA ZWANE
LOBAMBA – Their Majesties will provide ‘tinkundzi’ for bishops and preachers that will administer the Word of God during Good Friday and Easter Sunday services at the Lobamba National Church and Somhlolo National Stadium on April 3 and 5, 2026.
This has been confirmed by Bishop Herbert Mavimbela who serves as the Deputy President (Vice President) of the League of African Churches in Eswatini. He works alongside the President of the League, Chief Archbishop Professor Samson Hlatjwako, focusing on the leadership and welfare of the church body.
In an exclusive interview with Eswatini Positive News, Mavimbela disclosed that they were currently at Lobamba as preachers were undertaking lessons ahead of the Easter church services. The bishop said they started the lessons on April 1, 2026 and will continue for the next two days, meaning ending on April 2, 2026. Among those who will be giving lessons are personnel from the Ministry of Health and officers from His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS) whom the bishop said will capacitate preachers on how to enable a conducive working environment and integrate former or still serving inmates into society.
Mavimbela then disclosed that unlike in other national events where Their Majesties would give imbasha to those who had come to serve, bishops and preachers’ situation was a bit different.
“For bishops and preachers at the Easter services, we do not get ‘imbasha’ but Their Majesties give us food parcels at the end of the event to take home as a token of appreciation,” said bishop Mavimbela.
‘Tinkundzi’ is a SiSwati word usually used to mean food parcels provided by Their Majesties after cultural national events while ‘imbasha’ is a SiSwati word usually used to mean money provided by their Majesties after cultural national events.
Bishop Mavimbela could not immediate confirm the number of bishops and preachers who would administer the Word of God and serve at the Easter Services. He mentioned that they were yet to register so as to confirm bishops and preachers who will attend the Easter Services both at the National Church in Lobamba on Friday and at Somhlolo National Stadium on Sunday.
Good Friday and Easter Sunday in Eswatini are major national events characterized by massive, King-led, or government-sponsored, church gatherings. In 2026, the Good Friday service is scheduled for April 3 at the National Church, Lobamba, and the Easter Sunday service on April 5 at Somhlolo National Stadium. These services are marked by national unity, prayer, traditional song, and, often, sermons by Her Majesty the Queen Mother.
• Key Services & Leadership: His Majesty King Mswati III invites the nation to unite in worship, with the services officially held at the National Church in Lobamba.
• Significance: Services are deeply traditional and bring together various denominations for prayer, national unity, and spiritual renewal.
• Attire & Traditions: Worshippers often wear black on Good Friday to signify mourning and white on Easter Sunday to celebrate the resurrection.
• Events: Besides the main church gatherings, the period is marked by family gatherings, outdoor activities, and public holidays (Good Friday and Easter Monday).
• Precedent: The 2025 Good Friday service was similarly well-attended at the National Church, focusing on themes of sacrifice and redemption.
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