Mswati Iii of Swaziland free essay sample

Swaziland is the king of Swaziland, and head of the Swazi Royal Family. He succeeded his late father, Sobhuza II, in 1986. Early life He is one of many sons of King Sobhuza II (who had 70 wives and at the time of his death left over 1000 grandchildren) and the only child of Ntombi Tfwala, also known as Inkhosikati LaTfwala, one of the Kings younger wives. He was born at the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital, only four months before Swaziland attained independence from Britain, and after he and his mother were discharged from the hospital they went to live at one of King Sobhuzas residences of Etjeni near Masundwini Palace. His birth name was Makhosetive (King of Nations). As a young prince, Makhosetive attended Masundwini Primary School and Lozitha Palace School. He sat for the Swaziland Primary Certificate examination in December 1982 at Phondo Royal Residence and got a First Class with merit in Mathematics and English. We will write a custom essay sample on Mswati Iii of Swaziland or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page He developed a great interest in the royal guard, becoming the first young cadet to join the Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force (USDF). In September 2008, Mswati III was expected to choose his 14th wife at a ceremony of bare-breasted female virgins. Regency When his father died of pneumonia in 1982, the royal council Liqoqo headed by Prince Mfanasibili chose the 14-year-old prince Makhosetive to be the next king. The special council was left with the task to do this after one of King Sobhuzas last words. For the next four years two wives of the late King Sobhuza II served as regent, Queen Dzeliwe Shongwe (1982–1983) and Queen Ntombi Tfwala (1983–1986) while he continued with his education in England, attending Sherborne School before he was called back to take over. King He was introduced as Crown Prince in September 1983 and was crowned King on April 25, 1986, aged 18 years and 6 days, and thus making him the youngest reigning monarch. The king and his mother, whose title is Indlovukazi (Great She-Elephant), rule jointly. Today he is Africas last absolute monarch in the sense that he has the power to choose the prime minister, other top government posts and top traditional posts. Even though he makes the appointments, he still has to get special advice from the queen mother and council, for example when he chooses the prime minister. When it comes to appointing the cabinet, he gets advise from the prime minister. He inherited a rule by decree, but did restore the nations Parliament, which had been dissolved by his father due to the chaos of the multiparty system, that was perceived as breaking the country apart at the time considering that the country had just got its independence. The country already has its own type of democracy called the Tinkhundla system and has a constitution which allows freedom of assembly and free speech for both the media and the public. The Swaziland media in conferences with other regional media houses (MISA) says it is free to report as it pleases. In 2001, all unmarried women were placed under the chastity rite of umcwasho between 9 September 2001 and 19 August 2005 in an attempt to curb the spread of HIV and AIDS. This rite (re-introduced after suggestion from NGOs), banned sexual relations for Swazis under 18 years of age, but in 2005, he violated this decree when he married a 17-year-old girl, who became his 13th wife. As per custom, he was fined a cow by members of her regiment, which he duly paid. Succession In Swaziland no king can appoint his successor. Only an independent special traditional Council called the Liqoqo decides which of the wives shall be Great Wife and Indlovukazi (She-Elephant / Queen Mother). The son of this Great Wife will automatically become the next king. The Great Wife must only have one son (arguably) and be of good character. Her character affects her childs chances of ascending to the kingship. According to Swazi culture, a son cannot be the heir if his mother is not of good standing. She must not bear the maiden name of Nkhosi-Dlamini and she must not be a ritual wife (i. . the eldest son is never the heir). The King currently has thirteen wives. A Swazi Kings first two wives are chosen for him by the national councillors. These two have special functions in rituals and their sons can never claim Kingship. The first wife must be a member of the Matsebula clan, the second of the Motsa clan. According to tradition, he can only marry his fiancees after they have fallen pregnant, proving they can bear heirs. U ntil then, they are termed liphovela, or brides.