Words: Ntokozo Kunene
The Kingdom of Swaziland, the landlocked country in South Africa, celebrates 43 years of independence from British rule today.
In 1903, the UK made Swaziland a protectorate under its direct control. After World War II, the UK had planned to incorporate Swaziland into South Africa, however this did not happen due to the South African government increasingly establishing racially discriminative policies.
In the early 1960s, the Swazi people started forming political parties rallying for independence and economical development. Due to these pressures, in 1964 the colonial government scheduled the first legislative election in which the Swazi people would participate. It involved the Imbokodvo National Movement (INM) – a party established by King Sobhuza II, his inner council, and traditional Swazi leaders, promoting the ‘Swazi way of life’ – and four other parties. The INM won all 24 seats, and immediately demanded independence, which was only granted four years later after a new constitution was created.
King Sobhuza II reigned as king of the Swazis for 82 years, and head of state from independence up until his death in 1982. The current and controversial King Mswati III ascended to the throne in 1986 at the age of 18, with his mother, Queen Ntombi, the Indlovukazi, acting as joint head of state. The Kingdom of Swaziland is the last remaining absolute monarchy in Africa.