Sobhuza II

Who is Sobhuza II?

Sobhuza II was Ngwenyama, or King, of Swaziland for eighty-two years, from his installation in 1921 until his death in 1982, making his the longest verifiable reign of any monarch in recorded history. Born on 22 July 1899 at the Zombodze Royal Residence to Inkhosikati Lomawa Ndwandwe and King Bhunu, he became heir to the throne as an infant after his father's sudden death, and was raised under the regency of his grandmother, Queen Regent Labotsibeni Mdluli. As king, Sobhuza II became a central figure in the movement toward Swazi self-rule, working through the mid-twentieth century to negotiate the country's path out of British colonial administration. Swaziland achieved independence on 6 September 1968, with Sobhuza II as its first monarch as a sovereign nation. In 1973 he repealed the independence constitution and dissolved parliament, ruling thereafter with direct authority while working to balance traditional Swazi governance structures with the demands of a modern state. Renowned for his efforts to preserve Swazi culture, ceremony, and custom throughout a rapidly changing century, he remained a unifying symbol for his people until his death in 1982, after which he was succeeded, following a further regency, by his son Mswati III.

Sources: Wikipedia, "Sobhuza II" · Britannica, "Sobhuza II" · BlackPast.org, "King Sobhuza II (1899-1982)"