List of prime ministers of Eswatini

This is a list of prime ministers of Eswatini (Swazi: Ndvunankulu) since the formation of the post in 1967.

Prime Minister of Eswatini
Ndvunankulu
Coat of arms of Eswatini
Incumbent Russell Dlamini since 4 November 2023
Style	His Excellency
Residence	State House, Lobamba
Appointer	Mswati III, as King of Eswatini
Term length	No fixed term
Inaugural holder	Makhosini Dlamini
Formation	16 May 1967
Salary	E926,370 per annum[1]
Website	Website

Twelve people have been Prime Minister of Eswatini, plus eight acting prime ministers. One person, Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini, held two non-consecutive terms.

The current prime minister is Russell Dlamini, since 4 November 2023. He was appointed by King Mswati III at the Ludzidzini Royal Village.^[2][3]

List of officeholders

Political parties

  Imbokodvo National Movement (INM)

Other affiliations

  Independent

Status

  Acting prime minister

Symbols

^† Died in office

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Election	Term of office			Political party	Monarch(s) (Reign)
				Took office	Left office	Time in office
1		Makhosini Dlamini (1914–1978)	1967 1972	16 May 1967	31 March 1976	8 years, 320 days	INM (until 1973)	Sobhuza II (1899–1982)
							Independent
2		Maphevu Dlamini (1922–1979)	1978	31 March 1976	25 October 1979[†]	3 years, 208 days	Independent
—		Ben Nsibandze (1931–2021)	—	25 October 1979	23 November 1979	29 days	Independent
3		Mabandla Dlamini (1930–2025)	—	23 November 1979	25 March 1983	3 years, 122 days	Independent
								Interregnum
4		Bhekimpi Dlamini (1924–1999)	1983	25 March 1983	6 October 1986	3 years, 195 days	Independent
								Mswati III (since 1986)
5		Sotsha Dlamini (1940–2017)	1987	6 October 1986	12 July 1989	2 years, 279 days	Independent
6		Obed Dlamini (1937–2017)	—	12 July 1989	25 October 1993	4 years, 105 days	Independent
—		Andreas Fakudze (died 2013)	—	25 October 1993	4 November 1993	10 days	Independent
7		Jameson Mbilini Dlamini (1921–2008)	1993	4 November 1993	8 May 1996	2 years, 186 days	Independent
—		Sishayi Nxumalo (1936–2000)	—	8 May 1996	26 July 1996	79 days	Independent
8		Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini (1942–2018)	1998	26 July 1996	29 September 2003	7 years, 65 days	Independent
—		Paul Shabangu (born 1943)	—	29 September 2003	6 November 2003	38 days	Independent
9		Themba Dlamini (born 1950)	2003	6 November 2003	18 September 2008	4 years, 317 days	Independent
—		Bheki Dlamini	—	18 September 2008	23 October 2008	35 days	Independent
(8)		Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini (1942–2018)	2008 2013	23 October 2008	5 September 2018	9 years, 317 days	Independent
—		Vincent Mhlanga (died 2020)	—	5 September 2018	27 October 2018	52 days	Independent
10		Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini (1968–2020)	2018	27 October 2018	13 December 2020[†]	2 years, 47 days	Independent
—		Themba Masuku (born 1950)	—	13 December 2020	19 July 2021	218 days	Independent
11		Cleopas Dlamini (born 1952)	—	19 July 2021	28 September 2023	2 years, 71 days	Independent
—		Mgwagwa Gamedze (born 19–)	—	28 September 2023	4 November 2023	37 days	Independent
12		Russell Dlamini (born 1973)	2023	4 November 2023	Incumbent	1 year, 284 days	Independent

Timeline

See also

• Politics of Eswatini
• History of Eswatini
• List of monarchs of Eswatini