African royalty attends Seychelles’ multinational and multicultural Carnival Festival

Seychelles’ President James Alix Michel receives African royals ahead of Seychelles Carnival

President James Michel met with royal dignitaries from Ghana and Swaziland at the State House yesterday when he received the King of Ashanti of Ghana, His Majesty King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and his entourage. He was accompanied by the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts of Ghana, Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare. The King is the guest of honour at the 5th edition of the Seychelles Carnaval International de Victoria.

The King expressed his pleasure of visiting Seychelles and commended the beauty of the country and its people. He said the visit will be a chance for him to learn more about the exile of King Prempeh I, his great-uncle, when he was exiled by British colonial usurpers to the Seychelles in September of 1901.

The King also said that he wishes to see cooperation between Ghana and Seychelles being developed in many areas.

The King presented the President with a traditional royal robe, which he accepted and wore in honour of their first meeting.

President Michel welcomed the King on his first visit to Seychelles and noted that Seychelles and Ghana share a unique relationship and a great history.

“We reiterate our commitment to preserve this strong historical link and rich heritage we share. The International Carnaval de Victoria provides us with an opportunity to showcase the many parallels in our culture and history as well as our ambitions to continue forging together our development agenda for the benefit of our people,” said President Michel.

Following the visit of the King, President Michel received Her Royal Highness Princess Sikhanyiso Dlamini who is representing His Majesty King Maswati III of the Kingdom of Swaziland at the Seychelles Carnaval International de Victoria. Princess Sikhanyiso Dlamini is the eldest daughter of King Mswati III and is the Chief Maiden.

Princess Sikhanyiso was accompanied by Minister for Home Affairs of the Kingdom of Swaziland, Her Royal Highness Princess Tsandzile Dlamini and the Hon. David Ngcamphalala, the Minister for Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs from the Kingdom of Swaziland.

President Michel welcomed Her Royal Highness and her delegation to Seychelles, and thanked them for honouring the country with their presence at the Carnival this weekend.

“Whilst the event showcases our nation as a true melting pot of cultures and a truly unique place it showcases also other different civilizations, customs and cultures in their diversity. We can use the strength of this diversity to promote tourism and other elements of our development agenda. This event is also significant in terms of the development ambitions and visions our two countries share,” said President Michel.

Princess Sikhanyiso Dlamini delivered greetings from the King of Swaziland and expressed his wish to strengthen ties between Seychelles and the Kingdom of Swaziland.

Her Royal Highness said that there are many similarities between her country and Seychelles and that she was impressed by the natural beauty of the country and warm hospitality of its people.

Present for the two royal visits were the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Transport, Mr. Joel Morgan, the Minisiter for Tourism and Culture, Mr. Alain St. Ange and the President’s Diplomatic Advisor, Ambassador Callixte D’Offay.

The Seychelles’ Carnival will go underway tonight with a grand opening gala at the Stade Popilar where a number of the 29 carnival delegations are expected to bring the capacity crowd to its feet when performing their colourful displays. The main carnival parade will take place tomorrow through the centre of Victoria where the international floats will be joined by over 30 local floats from the Seychelles.