Ngwane III of Swaziland

Ngwane III King of Swaziland to 1780. He is considered to be the first King of Swaziland.

Background

According to Swaziland conventions the King always rules in partnership with his mother. The kings's mother is called "Indlovukazi" and it is her residence that marks the capital where important ceremonies would take place. Her house is called "umphakatsi". The King's house is the centre of the administation.

Biography

Ngwane III is an important figure in the history of Swaziland as some regard him as the first King of Swaziland. When he became chief he took over from his father who was named Hlubi. He managed tp take land south of the Pongolo. He wasn't able to hold this land, but it is this land which is seen as an important part of modern Swaziland. [http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=u3p9vATL1NkC&pg=PA11&lpg=PA11&dq=%22Ngwane+III%22+Swaziland&source=web&ots=9HHOcxhIo-&sig=YvEYLgKyjpi3QpP1CjOzjgBuSRk&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=2&ct=result#PPA11,M1 The Kingdom of Swaziland] , D. Hugh Gillis] , accessed 9 August 2008] The name that Ngwane gave this land kaNgwane which means the country of place of Ngwane. This name is still used today and the Swazi people use this name to refer to themselves as a people. [http://www.gov.sz/home.asp?pid=900 Kings of the Kingdom] , Swaziland Government, accessed 9 August 2008]

King Ngwane III is said to be of special importance in the history of Swazis, as it is him who gave the nation one of its names. When his people began to settle in the present day Swaziland, they called it kaNgwane (the place or country of Ngwane). The name kaNgwane has remained to the present time, and is the one by which the Swazi people usually call themselves.

The Swazi tradition provides that the King and his mother must reign together. Thus at any given time there is a King and Indlovukazi, and two Royal Headquarters or residences. The King's residence is the administrative headquarters, and it is here that the King's day to day business is carried out.

Ngwane III reigned until 1780 when his son, Ndvungunye, became King with his mother Queen Ndwandwe. [http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Swaziland.html] , worldstatesmen.org]

References

ee Also

List of kings of Swaziland