List of monarchs of Eswatini
This article lists the monarchs (Ngwenyamas) of Eswatini (known as Swaziland for most of its history).
The King of Eswatini (also known as Ingwenyama) rules alongside the Queen Mother of Eswatini (also known as Ndlovukati). The role of the king in Eswatini has historically been as the head or father of the nation while the Queen Mother is the spiritual leader of the nation.[1]
Ancient Kings / Chiefs of the Swazi people (pre–1745)
The following is a list of ancient Eswatini Kings/Chiefs.[2][3]
- Mkhulunkosi
- Qomizitha
- Sukuta
- Madlasomo
- Ndlovu
- Ngwekati
- Kuwawa or Mawawa
- Sidvwabasilutfuli
- Gebase
- Kunene
- Nkabingwe
- Madlabane
- Hhili
- Dulunga
- Dondobola
- Sihuba
- Mlangeni
- Msimudze
- Mbhodlo or Mbhoholo
- Tembe
- Sikhulumaloyo
- Langa Samuketi
- Nkomo
- Khabako
- Nkosi I
- Ngwane I
Chiefs of Embo-Dlamini (16th and 17th century)
- Dlamini I (Matalatala)
- Mswati I
- Ngwane II
- Dlamini II
- Nkosi II
- Mavuso I
- Magudulela
- Ludvonga I 1685–1715
- Dlamini III: 1720–1744
Kings of Swaziland (1745–1903)
- Ngwane III: 1745–1780 (The first King of the modern Swazi unitary structure)
- LaYaka Ndwandwe (Queen Regent): 1780
- Ndvungunye (Zikodze, Mavuso II): 1780–1815
- Lomvula Mndzebele (Queen Regent): 1815
- Sobhuza I (Somhlolo, Ngwane IV; considered the first King of modern Swaziland): 1815–1836
- Lojiba Simelane (Queen Regent): 1836–1840
- Mswati II (Mavuso III): 1840–1868
- Tsandzile Ndwandwe (Queen Regent): 1868–1875
- Crown Prince Ludvonga II (Macaleni) – Never became King
- Mbandzeni (Dlamini IV): 1875–1889
- Tibati Nkambule (Queen Regent): 7 April 1889 – 1895
- Ngwane V (Mahlokohla): January 1895 – 10 December 1899
- Labotsibeni Mdluli (Queen Regent): 10 December 1899 – 1903
- Sobhuza II: 10 December 1899 – 1903
Paramount Chiefs of the Swaziland Protectorate (1903–1968)
- Labotsibeni Mdluli (Queen Regent): 1903 – 22 December 1921
- Sobhuza II: 1903 – 2 September 1968 (assumed power on 22 December 1921)
Kings of Swaziland / Eswatini (1968–present)
| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sobhuza II | 22 July 1899 – 21 August 1982 (aged 83) | 2 September 1968 | 21 August 1982† (13 years, 353 days) | Son of Ngwane V | House of Dlamini | |
| Mswati III | 19 April 1968 | 25 April 1986 | Incumbent (39 years, 330 days) | Son of Sobhuza II | House of Dlamini |
- "Authorized Person" during the minority of King Mswati III
- Prince Sozisa Dlamini: 21 August 1982 – 1 November 1985 (suspended from July 1984)
- Regents during the minority of King Mswati III
- Queen Dzeliwe: 21 August 1982 – 10 August 1983
- Queen Ntfombi: 10 August 1983 – 25 April 1986
Timeline
Queen Mothers of Swaziland / Eswatini (1745–present)
Royal Standard
-
Royal Standard of Mswati III.
See also
- Politics of Eswatini
- History of Eswatini
- Succession to the Swazi throne
- List of prime ministers of Eswatini
References
- ^ Kuper, Hilda (1980). An African Aristocracy: Rank Among the Swazi. Africana Pub. ISBN 0841905819.
- ^ Matsebula, J. S. M. (1972 A History of Swaziland. 3rd edition. Longman Publishers: South Africa. pp. 8.
- ^ Schoeman, Stan (1986): Swaziland: A Modern Monarchy (PDF), Africa Insight, Volume: 16, Issue: 3, pages: 169
External links
- Kings of Swaziland: File 74 - Shepstone & Miller, 1976, University of Cape Town
- Rulers: Eswatini
- Swaziland Royal Family Tree
- Swaziland Nation Trust Commission: Swazi History
- Official Website of Swaziland Monarchy
- Swaziland government site: Kings of the Kingdom