Swaziland king orders widows to remove their mourning gowns to celebrate his 50th birthday.

Swaziland monarch King Mswati III has ordered widows to immediately remove their mourning gowns so that they can take part in his 50th birthday celebrations.

Swaziland tradition has it that a widow must wear a mourning gown for two years after the death of her husband and then go through a cleansing ceremony.

Acting Ludzidzini governor Lusendvo Fakudze, who is known as the voice of the King, has ordered all widows to remove their mourning gowns with immediate effect.

The King, who rules Swaziland as sub-Saharan Africa's last absolute monarch, celebrates his 50th birthday on Thursday 19 April 2018.

So-called 50/50 Celebrations are planned on that day to mark his birthday and also the 50th anniversary of Swaziland's Independence from Great Britain that falls on 6 September 2018.