战略与国际研究中心-Africa-Notes_-Swaziland_-In-Transition-to-What__10页_2mb

Swaziland: In Transition to What?

Core Content

Swaziland, a small kingdom located between apartheid South Africa and revolutionary Mozambique, was in the midst of a royal power struggle following the death of King Sobhuza II in August 1982. The conflict threatened the stability of the kingdom and its legacy of independence and traditional governance. The transition from Sobhuza's rule led to internal dissent, with the royal family and political elites divided over the direction of the country.

Historical Background

Swaziland was not divided by colonial borders like many other African states. The Swazi people, part of the Bantu-speaking Nguni migration, settled in an area between the Lubombo Mountains and the Indian Ocean. King Ngwane III led the tribe, and the name "Swaziland" was derived from the territory of Mswati, who ruled from 1815 to 1840. During this time, the British and Afrikaners vied for control over the region, leading to the British annexation of Swaziland as a protectorate in 1877.

The British later issued the Land Partition Proclamation in 1907, which transferred 67% of Swazi land to concessionaires. This significantly weakened the Swazi people's control over their territory and economy. Despite these challenges, King Sobhuza II, who reigned from 1921 until his death in 1982, worked to restore Swazi sovereignty and land rights.

Sobhuza's Vision

Sobhuza II aimed to reestablish Swaziland's political independence, reunite the Swazi people, and reclaim lost land. He led a delegation to London in 1922 to negotiate land rights but was unsuccessful. He later initiated legal action to challenge the land expropriation, which was dismissed by the Privy Council. In 1940, he appealed to King George VI for more land, leading to the creation of the "Swaziland Land Settlement" and the establishment of the Lifa Fund to purchase back land.

After the Afrikaner National Party introduced apartheid in 1948, the Swazi people in the Transvaal were assigned to the KaNgwane homeland. However, Sobhuza's efforts to secure the return of KaNgwane and Ingwavuma from South Africa led to political tensions. In 1982, South Africa proposed the transfer of these territories to Swaziland, which was seen as a significant step toward Swazi unification and access to the sea.

Transition to Power

Following Sobhuza's death, the Queen Mother, Dzeliwe, became the regent. However, the Liqoqo, the royal advisory council, sought to consolidate its power. Prince Mabandla Dlamini, the former prime minister, had initiated a commission of inquiry to investigate corruption, which led to conflict with the Liqoqo, especially with Prince Mfanasibili and Minister of Justice Polycarp Dlamini.

Sobhuza had previously appointed Richard Dlamini as foreign minister and later formalized the Liqoqo as the Supreme Council of State, giving it significant authority over policy and governance. Mabandla's opposition to the land deal with South Africa and his attempts to assert more control over the government led to his ouster.

The Crisis Unfolds

Mabandla was removed from office on March 19, 1983, after the Liqoqo accused him of attempting to undermine the monarchy's structure. The Queen Mother, Dzeliwe, refused to sign the document that transferred her powers to the Liqoqo, leading to her own removal. She was replaced by Queen Ntombi, the mother of the newly named King Makhosetive, a schoolboy.

This move by the Liqoqo sparked a rift within the royal family and the ruling elite. Dzeliwe, supported by Prince Gabheni, challenged the legitimacy of the removal and called for a meeting of the Swazi elders at the Royal Kraal. Prince Bhekimpi Dlamini, the new prime minister, banned the meeting, further escalating the conflict.

Key Issues and Implications

• Land Rights: The transfer of KaNgwane and Ingwavuma to Swaziland was a major goal of Sobhuza II, offering economic and symbolic benefits.
• Political Structure: The Liqoqo gained unprecedented power, effectively bypassing the prime minister, cabinet, and parliament.
• Succession and Governance: The lack of a clear succession system and the dominance of the Liqoqo created instability in the transition of power.
• International Context: The proposed land transfer was controversial, with criticism from the Organization of African Unity (OAU), which viewed it as a betrayal of the liberation struggle.

Conclusion

The transition from Sobhuza II to his successor, Prince Makhosetive, marked a period of intense political conflict within Swaziland. The power struggle between the Queen Mother and the Liqoqo, along with the broader implications of the land deal with South Africa, highlighted the fragility of the kingdom's traditional governance and its struggle to balance modernization with the preservation of its cultural and political identity.