20th century
Swaziland
Swaziland became independent in 1968 after a contested pre-independence political process. The 1964 elections were won by the king’s Imbokodvo movement, which then challenged a racially structured constitutional arrangement and demanded immediate independence. A new constitution acceptable to Imbokodvo and Britain was drafted by February 1967, and independence followed in 1968, two years after Botswana and Lesotho.
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The Story
By 1960, the long struggle of Swaziland, Lesotho, and Botswana against political incorporation into South Africa had almost been won. South African Prime Minister Verwoerd publicly acknowledged in 1962 that independence was possible, although he still hoped that the territories might join the South African Commonwealth of Nations. Swaziland’s transition therefore unfolded within both British decolonisation and South African attempts to preserve regional influence.
Swaziland held its first pre-independence elections in 1964, after widespread strikes the previous year had led Britain to airlift troops into the country. Political organisations broadly agreed on constitutional monarchy, immediate independence, and the abolition of racial discrimination. The king responded by forming the Imbokodvo movement, which won the election without an opposition candidate retaining a deposit or winning a seat.
The constitutional settlement remained contested because the electoral system guaranteed equal representation to the white community, the Swazi hierarchy, and voters on the national roll. After its victory, Imbokodvo disenfranchised white South Africans in Swaziland, challenged the constitution as racist, and demanded immediate independence. A new constitution acceptable to Imbokodvo and Britain was drafted by February 1967, and Swaziland gained independence in 1968.
20th century
Swaziland
Swaziland became independent in 1968 after a contested pre-independence political process. The 1964 elections were won by the king’s Imbokodvo movement, which then challenged a racially structured constitutional arrangement and demanded immediate independence. A new constitution acceptable to Imbokodvo and Britain was drafted by February 1967, and independence followed in 1968, two years after Botswana and Lesotho.
Continue exploring
The Story
By 1960, the long struggle of Swaziland, Lesotho, and Botswana against political incorporation into South Africa had almost been won. South African Prime Minister Verwoerd publicly acknowledged in 1962 that independence was possible, although he still hoped that the territories might join the South African Commonwealth of Nations. Swaziland’s transition therefore unfolded within both British decolonisation and South African attempts to preserve regional influence.
Swaziland held its first pre-independence elections in 1964, after widespread strikes the previous year had led Britain to airlift troops into the country. Political organisations broadly agreed on constitutional monarchy, immediate independence, and the abolition of racial discrimination. The king responded by forming the Imbokodvo movement, which won the election without an opposition candidate retaining a deposit or winning a seat.
The constitutional settlement remained contested because the electoral system guaranteed equal representation to the white community, the Swazi hierarchy, and voters on the national roll. After its victory, Imbokodvo disenfranchised white South Africans in Swaziland, challenged the constitution as racist, and demanded immediate independence. A new constitution acceptable to Imbokodvo and Britain was drafted by February 1967, and Swaziland gained independence in 1968.