You know, when we talk about global records, sometimes the ones held by African nations aren't exactly something to celebrate. And this seems to be particularly true when we look at the world of politics and leadership.
Take a look at the list of the world's longest-serving leaders, and you might be surprised (or maybe not?) to see how many hail from Africa. In fact, African nations hold a significant chunk of the top spots – a good six out of the top eleven, to be precise.
We're talking about countries like Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Uganda, and Eritrea.
And when it comes to the oldest president currently in office, that title belongs to Cameroon's Paul Biya, who's a remarkable 92 years old and has been leading since way back in November 1982 – a good 42 years!
Only one other leader has been in power longer, and that's Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, who took the reins in October 1982.
So, if even countries with democratic systems are seeing leaders stay in power for decades, what about the monarchies still kicking around in Africa? Well, let's dive into one classic example: Eswatini!
Eswatini: A Kingdom by Any Other Name
Whether you call it Swaziland, the Kingdom of Swaziland, or just Eswatini, it's all the same place – a relatively small, landlocked country in Southern Africa, covering about 17,000 square kilometers.
Picture it nestled in, bordered by Mozambique to the northeast and completely surrounded by South Africa on all other sides.
So, how did Eswatini become Eswatini? Well, the story starts way back around 1745 when it was founded by King Ngwane III and was initially known as the Kingdom of kaNgwane.
Fast forward to 1840, and a new king, Mswati II, took the throne. His reign was a big deal because he significantly expanded the kingdom's territory, even going to war with neighboring Bantu tribes to conquer their lands.
They say the kingdom was even larger back then than it is today!
To honor his achievements, the name was changed from kaNgwane to Eswatini – a tribute to King Mswati II, who was considered their greatest king ever.
He passed away in 1865, and a couple of decades later, the borders we know today were drawn up during the Scramble for Africa.
The territory then became known as Swaziland and was under British colonial rule until it finally gained independence in 1968.
The name Swaziland stuck around until 2018, when it was officially changed back to the Kingdom of Eswatini.
Now, when we talk about how Eswatini is run, it's an absolute monarchy. That means the king is the ultimate power – he's the sole decision-maker, and there's no constitution or other authority that can really limit his power.
And who's been at the helm since 1986? You guessed it, King Mswati III – another name to add to our list of long-serving African leaders. Not really a shock at this point, is it?
One of the most talked-about aspects of King Mswati III's reign is the tradition surrounding his wives…
Royal Choices: The King, Tradition, and the Umhlanga Ceremony
King Mswati III has a large family, including 16 wives! Tradition plays a significant role in how some of these relationships form.
The state, in fact, is involved in selecting at least the first two wives for the King. These initial wives are chosen by the national councilors and hold special significance in royal rituals. Interestingly, their sons are not eligible to become king, a key part of the succession plan.
Beyond these initial appointments, there's a fascinating expectation: the King is to marry a woman from every clan within Eswatini. This isn't just about expanding the royal family; it's a deeply rooted cultural practice aimed at strengthening the bonds between the monarchy and the diverse communities of the kingdom, reinforcing national unity.
One of the most prominent ways the King traditionally chooses his wives is through the annual Umhlanga, or Reed Dance ceremony. This spectacular event is a traditional chastity rite where thousands of young, unmarried women, often called maidens, from across Eswatini gather at the Ludzidzini Royal Palace near Mbabane.
It’s during this vibrant celebration of Swazi culture that the King traditionally selects a new wife.
The first wife chosen for the King must be a member of the Matsebula clan, and the second must come from the Motsa clan. As mentioned, their sons cannot inherit the throne.
When the King chooses another woman, she becomes his royal fiancée, a liphovela, meaning "bride."
The progression to becoming a full wife involves two steps: a liphovela officially becomes a wife upon becoming pregnant, at which point the King customarily marries her. The full traditional marriage ceremony, known as Ludvendve (meaning "marriage to the king"), follows later.
The Reign of Kings: From Longest to Youngest
Speaking of long-serving rulers, you might be interested to know that the longest-reigning monarch ever in world history was actually an African king – King Sobhuza II of Eswatini!
Born in July 1899, his story is quite something. His father, King Ngwane V, passed away suddenly when Sobhuza II was just four months old during a national dancing ceremony called incwala.
So, he was chosen as the next king right away, but since he was just a baby, his grandmother stepped in to lead the nation until he came of age at 21 in 1921.
He guided his people as a Paramount Chief until they peacefully achieved independence from the British in 1968, at which point he was officially recognized as the King.
He continued to rule until his passing in 1982 at the age of 83.
That means he was on the throne for an incredible 82 years and 254 days – practically his entire life!
When King Sobhuza II passed away, his son, Makhosetive Dlamini, was next in line for the throne. But here's a twist – he was only 14 years old at the time!
So, one of Sobhuza II's wives, Princess Dzeliwe, was chosen to be the regent, ruling until Prince Makhosetive turned 21.
Interestingly, young Makhosetive was actually in the United Kingdom pursuing his studies during this time.
He returned to Swaziland on April 25th, 1986, and was crowned King at the young age of 18, making him the youngest ruling monarch in the world back then!
He also took on the name Mswati III, and as we touched on earlier, he's the one who changed the country's name back to Eswatini in 2018.
Since then, King Mswati III has been ruling alongside his mother, Ntfombi Twala, who's now known as the Queen Mother.
The Ndlovukazi: The She-Elephant Ruling Alongside the Lion
Interestingly, this role of Queen Mother in Eswatini carries significant weight. She is known as the Ndlovukazi, or "She-Elephant," and in this unique monarchy, she actually rules alongside the King (Ngwenyama, "Lion") as a joint head of state!
You know how in many monarchies, the Queen is the wife of the King? Well, in Eswatini, it's a bit different. They have the Ngwenyama, which means "Lion" and that's the King. But ruling alongside him is the Ndlovukazi, or "She-Elephant." This title usually belongs to the King's mother, but if she's passed away, it can be another high-ranking royal woman. Think of her almost like a Queen Mother, but with a twist – she's actually a joint head of state!
Historically, the Ndlovukazi has been seen as the spiritual and national head of state, while the King (Ngwenyama) is more the administrative head. It's like a power-sharing dynamic built right into the system. While the King handles the day-to-day running of the government, the Ndlovukazi holds significant cultural and symbolic authority, especially when it comes to important rituals and traditions. She's also the one who steps in as Queen Regent if there's no King, like when the previous King passed away and the current one was still a minor. It's a fascinating dual leadership that adds a unique layer to the Eswatini monarchy!
Eswatini holds the unique position of being the last remaining absolute monarchy in Africa and one of only a dozen or so left worldwide.
King Mswati III wields significant power, having authority over all parts of the government, even influencing local governance through traditional chiefs.
And, as is often the case in many African nations, King Mswati III is known for his lavish lifestyle, which sadly contrasts sharply with the everyday lives of most of his people.
So, with this unique system in place, how exactly does the next King get chosen in Eswatini?
Succession to the Swazi Throne: How the Next King is Chosen
It's a fascinating process that doesn't automatically fall to the eldest son.
Here's a breakdown of how it works:
- The Liqoqo's Role: When a King passes away, the power to choose his successor rests with an independent traditional council known as the Liqoqo. This council comprises influential royal elders and traditional leaders.
- Choosing the "Great Wife" (Indlovukazi): The Liqoqo's primary task is to decide which of the late King's wives will be designated as the Indlovukazi, or "Great Wife" (literally "She-Elephant"). This selection is the crucial first step.
- The Son of the "Great Wife": The son of the chosen Indlovukazi will automatically become the next King. It's not about birth order or direct appointment by the previous King; the Liqoqo essentially chooses the mother of the future monarch.
- Special Status of the First Two Wives: Remember those first two wives chosen for the King by the national councilors (from the Matsebula and Motsa clans)? Their sons are specifically excluded from becoming King. This is a long-standing tradition to maintain a particular lineage.
- Regency: If the chosen heir is a minor (under 21), a regent is appointed to rule until they reach maturity. As we saw with King Mswati III, Princess Dzeliwe served as regent after King Sobhuza II's death.
Africa showcases diverse leadership styles, each shaped by its own history and cultural nuances.
This begs the question: perhaps the enduring question isn't whether Africa is democratic enough, but rather, who gets to define democracy, and has that definition truly served the continent's advancement?
Join the Lughayangu Community!
