HM King Mswati III

KINGS OF THE KINGDOM The history of the Great Kings of the Kingdom is best told in a form of stories, songs, and praises. Numerous historians, including Dr J. S M. Matsebula who produced the first ever history of Swaziland, researched on the lineage of the Kings of the Kingdom and the origin of the Swazi people. Matsebula writes that "the History of a country is the spirit of the Country's inhabitants" (Matsebula, 1972).

According to official records, the Dlaminis are the first known tribe who fought a party of Dutch officials that left the Cape to explore the Lubombo range near Delgoa Bay in 1723.  These were known as the Bembo-Nguni. 

The founder-leader of the Bembo-Nguni group, which eventually moved into the present day Swaziland, was a man called Dlamini.  Dlamini is looked upon as the founder of the Royal clan of the Swazis.  This group of people became known as the Dlamini-Nguni. 

Dlamini and his people including successors lived around the Tembe River near Maputo, Mozambique.  Official records indicates that Dlamini I is the first known King of Swaziland  who was able to increase his followers by conquering many clans along the Lubombo. 

Thus, he is known as "Lowacedza Lubombo ngekuhlehletela etfwele umfunti".  It is probably true that there were other leaders before Him who were not significantly strong and warlike like him.

The Royal Family tree put Dlamini I as the significant  founder of the Swazi people.  Kings who came after him, in order of succession include: Mswati I; Ngwane II; Dlamini II; Nkosi II; Mavuso I; Magudulela; Ludvonga; Dlamini III;  Ngwane III; Ndvungunye; Sobhuza I; Mswati II; Ludvonga II; Mbandzeni; Ngwane V; Sobhuza II;  and the present reigning Mornachy, Mswati III.

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.

The Indlovukazi's residence is known as umphakatsi, and is the national capital and the spiritual and ceremonial home of the nation.  It is where all important national events such as the Incwala ceremony take place.  The present national capital is Ludzidzini.

The oldest known Indlovukazi to whom we can attach years to her reign is Layaka Ndwandwe.  The lineage of Indlovukazi in the Kingdom is as follows: Layaka Ndwandwe; Lakubheka Mndzebele; Lojiba Simelane; Tsandzile Ndwandwe; Sisile Khumalo; Tibati Nkambule; Gwamile Labotsibeni Mdluli; Lomawa Ndwandwe; Nukwase Ndwandwe; Zihlathi Ndwandwe; Seneleleni Ndwandwe; Dzeliwe Shongwe, and the present Indlovukazi, Ntombi Tfwala.