| Cleopas Dlamini | |
| Office: | 11th Prime Minister of Eswatini |
| Deputy: | Themba N. Masuku |
| Term Start: | 19 July 2021 |
| Term End: | 28 September 2023 |
| Predecessor: | Themba N. Masuku (acting) |
| Successor: | Mgwagwa Gamedze (acting) |
| Birth Date: | 26 December 1952 |
| Nationality: | Liswati |
| Party: | Independent |
| Alma Mater: | University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland[1] |
| Spouse: | Nomfundo Maseko Lomvula Hlophe |
Cleopas Sipho Dlamini (born 26 December 1952) is a Liswati business executive who served as the prime minister of Eswatini from 2021 to 2023.[2]
He replaced Themba N. Masuku, who occupied the office in acting capacity, following the death of the previous substantive office holder Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini in December 2020. Before he was named prime minister, Cleopas was the chief executive officer of the Public Pension Fund of the Kingdom of Eswatini. He was also a Senator in the Eswatini Senate.[2] [3] [4]
On 16 July 2021, following major political unrest against the monarchy in Eswatini,[5] at a sibaya held at the Ludzidzini Royal Village, some 20km (10miles) south of Mbabane, King Mswati III, announced his appointment of Cleopas Dlamini as the next prime minister.[6] The new prime minister took the oath of office on 19 July 2021 and also swore in as a member of the Parliament of Eswatini. He chaired his first cabinet meeting on the morning of 20 July 2021.[7] In October 2021, he and Education Minister Lady Howard Mabuza condemned anti-monarchist and pro-democracy student protests that resulted in the closing of schools.[8]