Sobhuza II of Swaziland

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Sobhuza II (July 22, 1899 – August 21, 1982) was a King of Swaziland. He was the son of Ngwane V.

His father died on December 10, 1899, when Sobhuza was only a few months old, and his grandmother, Labotsibeni Gwamile Mdluli, acted as regent until December 22, 1921. His nominal reign of over 82 years (1899-1982) is the longest precisely dated monarchical reign on record, although Pepi II Neferkare of Egypt has claim to an even longer one. Sobhuza's actual personal reign of over 60 years (1921-82) saw Swaziland's independence from Britain (September 6, 1968). When the kingdom became independent, it was hoped that the existing tribal government could be modified into a constitutional monarchy. This existed for some time, until April 12, 1973, when he repealed the constitution and dissolved parliament, making himself absolute ruler.

King Sobhuza continued the tribal practice of keeping many wives. According to the Swaziland National Trust Commission, "King Sobhuza II married 70 wives, and had 210 children between 1920 and 1970 (i.e. three children per wife, on average)." Many are still alive today.[1]

He died in 1982 and was succeeded by his young son Mswati III, after a period of regency by Queen Dzeliwe and Queen Ntombi.

Preceded by Ngwane V

Paramount Chief, then King of Swaziland 1899-1982

Succeeded by Mswati III

[edit] See also

• Politics of Swaziland
• King Sobhuza II portrait of Sobhuza II of Swaziland by South African artist Neville Lewis