Ntombi

Ntombi (2016).

Ntombi (* around 1950 ; also Ntfombi ) was regent of Swaziland from 1983 to 1986 and has been Ndlovukati ever since .

Life

She was born as Ntombi laTfwala and was one of the younger of the 70 wives of Sobhuza II , the king who died on August 21, 1982. The regency for the future king first took over Dzeliwe , another widow of the king. When the latter was placed under house arrest in 1983, the reign passed to Princess Sozisa Dlamini before Ntombi was appointed regent.

In September 1983 their underage son and only child, the future King Mswati III. , appointed Crown Prince. The number of Sobhuza children was estimated at around 210. Actual power rested with a Regency Council called Liqoqo until Ntombi was able to dismiss some of its members in October 1985.

After reaching the age of majority, her son became king on April 25, 1986. Since then, both have formally ruled together, with the king being responsible for state affairs and his mother performing more ceremonial tasks. Since then, according to tradition, she has had the title Ndlovukati , which can literally be translated as “large female elephant ”, but also simply translated as “mother of the king”.

See also

• List of rulers of Swaziland

Web links

Commons : Ntombi Tfwala  - collection of images, videos and audio files

• Image Ntombis by Andy Warhol (English)