The Kingdom Of Swaziland

Study of economic development and political development in Swaziland - covers colonialism and the process of gaining independence; examines economic structure incl. The role of South Africa R in foreign investment, monoculture of sugar, the emergence of a Royalist comprador Bourgeoisie (ruling class) and its financial control of the Swazi National Development Fund (investment), gross domestic product, and the economic recession; outlines the social class structure, the institutional framework, political power and regional level political problems. References, statistical tables.

A scholarly and engaging study, this history of Swaziland, by an author who spent many years in the kingdom, presents a vivid account of the interplay of politics and personalities along the passage to post-colonial independence. From the early stages of Swazi occupation of the present-day kingdom to the accession of Sobhuza II as king in 1921, this book traces problems in consolidating leadership under the Dlamini chieftaincy and examines the infuence of Boer and British settlers, and of mining and commercial interests, on Swazi culture and governance. It recounts the story of a thriving small nation that sought to maintain traditional customs and institutions in the face of a powerful European presence. Each of the sixteen chapters concentrates on an aspect of political history that has influenced the character of the present-day kingdom, and much of the material, especially after 1900, has not been utilized in previous studies. The introduction looks at Swazi experience in a contemporary context, evaluating historic forces that have made for stability in a rapidly changing world. Other sections detail the Swazi reaction to European-controlled neighboring states (the Transvaal, Natal, and Mozambique), the tensions introduced by successive Boer and British policies, the Swazi detachment during two external wars (1899-1902 and 1914-1918), and widespread concerns about colonialism and self-governance following World War I.

Swaziland—recently renamed Eswatini—is the only nation-state in Africa with a functioning indigenous political system. Elsewhere on the continent, most departing colonial administrators were succeeded by Western-educated elites. In Swaziland, traditional Swazi leaders managed to establish an absolute monarchy instead, qualified by the author as benevolent and people-centred, a system which they have successfully defended from competing political forces since the 1970s. This book is the first to study the constitutional history of this monarchy. It examines its origins in the colonial era, the financial support it received from white settlers and apartheid South Africa, and the challenges it faced from political parties and the judiciary, before King Sobhuza II finally consolidated power in 1978 with an auto-coup d’état. As Hlengiwe Dlamini shows, the history of constitution-making in Swaziland is rich, complex, and full of overlooked insight for historians of Africa.

Based upon information collected during half a century of field research in Swaziland, this case study presents rare insight into the dynamics of the country's independence, problems facing traditional leaders, and conflicts of interest and personalities.

This book describes the basis of Swazi traditional life and examines how modern values are influencing change. It focuses on Hilda Kuper's original study and subsequent analyses to describe that traditional society.

Swaziland is a tourist delight with beautiful scenery, friendly people and colourful traditional festivals. But there is another side to this tiny feudal kingdom, a dark side of secrets Africa's last absolute monarch and the royal clan are at great pains to stop their beleaguered subjects revealing to the world. So they silence them.As part of EEC aid, the author was appointed to the new college of primary education built in the poorest and most traditional part of the kingdom. This is a memoir of the gradual unfolding of the true state of affairs, the delights as well as the horrors but especially of the Swazi women who have the status of children, are dealt with as their menfolk please and have no rights over their own children. Since they have no voice, we must tell their story for them.