Swaziland—recently renamed Eswatini—is the only nation-state in Africa with a functioning indigenous political system. Elsewhere on the continent, most departing colonial administrators were succeeded by Western-educated elites. In Swaziland, traditional Swazi leaders managed to establish an absolute monarchy instead, qualified by the author as benevolent and people-centred, a system which they have successfully defended from competing political forces since the 1970s. This book is the first to study the constitutional history of this monarchy. It examines its origins in the colonial era, the financial support it received from white settlers and apartheid South Africa, and the challenges it faced from political parties and the judiciary, before King Sobhuza II finally consolidated power in 1978 with an auto-coup d’état. As Hlengiwe Dlamini shows, the history of constitution-making in Swaziland is rich, complex, and full of overlooked insight for historians of Africa.

A scholarly and engaging study, this history of Swaziland, by an author who spent many years in the kingdom, presents a vivid account of the interplay of politics and personalities along the passage to post-colonial independence. From the early stages of Swazi occupation of the present-day kingdom to the accession of Sobhuza II as king in 1921, this book traces problems in consolidating leadership under the Dlamini chieftaincy and examines the infuence of Boer and British settlers, and of mining and commercial interests, on Swazi culture and governance. It recounts the story of a thriving small nation that sought to maintain traditional customs and institutions in the face of a powerful European presence. Each of the sixteen chapters concentrates on an aspect of political history that has influenced the character of the present-day kingdom, and much of the material, especially after 1900, has not been utilized in previous studies. The introduction looks at Swazi experience in a contemporary context, evaluating historic forces that have made for stability in a rapidly changing world. Other sections detail the Swazi reaction to European-controlled neighboring states (the Transvaal, Natal, and Mozambique), the tensions introduced by successive Boer and British policies, the Swazi detachment during two external wars (1899-1902 and 1914-1918), and widespread concerns about colonialism and self-governance following World War I.

Swaziland is a tourist delight with beautiful scenery, friendly people and colourful traditional festivals. But there is another side to this tiny feudal kingdom, a dark side of secrets Africa's last absolute monarch and the royal clan are at great pains to stop their beleaguered subjects revealing to the world. So they silence them.As part of EEC aid, the author was appointed to the new college of primary education built in the poorest and most traditional part of the kingdom. This is a memoir of the gradual unfolding of the true state of affairs, the delights as well as the horrors but especially of the Swazi women who have the status of children, are dealt with as their menfolk please and have no rights over their own children. Since they have no voice, we must tell their story for them.

This book describes the basis of Swazi traditional life and examines how modern values are influencing change. It focuses on Hilda Kuper's original study and subsequent analyses to describe that traditional society.

As Americans, we're not unfamiliar with the fact that many areas of Africa are still disadvantaged in multiple ways. Hospitals don't have the supplies they need, AIDS is a lingering threat, incest and sexual assault are stoically accepted, and countless families go without enough to eat. It's easy to read and understand all that, but seeing it in person touched Kay Cassidy West in a way that nothing had before. Previously obsessive about germs and unsure of the real impact she could make, she trusted in God and followed his lead to Swaziland, where she was overwhelmed with tenderness for its people. Wanting to help out however possible, West led Bible studies, drove ailing villagers to the medical clinic, distributed food and blankets, and sang hymns by candlelight. Though the local women were used to being treated as second-class citizens, she forged beautiful relationships with them and showed them God's love every step of the way. West articulately shares her life-changing account through colorful anecdotes, scripture verses, and moments of prayer. Refiner's Fire will give you glimpses of gorgeous African wildlife and, more importantly, the heart of Jesus Christ.

The Kingdom of Swaziland, in southern Africa, boasts breathtaking mountain ranges, friendly people and a peaceful political climate. Scratch the surface, and one finds a country battling the ravages of the world’s worst HIV/AIDS epidemic, devastating poverty, and the lack of rights for women. In ‘The Kingdom of Roses and Thorns’ five Swazi women overcome devastating hardships with unwavering determination and inner strength. They are pulled between their faith in God, their knowledge of modern science, and their own traditional values. Anna, Sarie, Elizabeth, Busisiwe, and Thembekile all face different obstacles in their lives, but ultimately, they survive through the same strength, faith and perseverance that characterize women everywhere. Against the striking backdrop of the Swazi mountains, these women are truly perfect roses in a difficult and thorny world.

The Africa Yearbook covers major domestic political developments, the foreign policy and socio-economic trends in sub-Sahara Africa – all related to developments in one calendar year. The Yearbook contains articles on all sub-Saharan states, each of the four sub-regions (West, Central, Eastern, Southern Africa) focusing on major cross-border developments and sub-regional organizations as well as one article on continental developments and one on African-European relations. While the articles have thorough academic quality, the Yearbook is mainly oriented to the requirements of a large range of target groups: students, politicians, diplomats, administrators, journalists, teachers, practitioners in the field of development aid as well as business people.

Contemporary forms of living and dying in Swaziland cannot be understood apart from the global HIV/AIDS pandemic, according to anthropologist Casey Golomski. In Africa's last absolute monarchy, the story of 15 years of global collaboration in treatment and intervention is also one of ordinary people facing the work of caring for the sick and dying and burying the dead. Golomski's ethnography shows how AIDS posed challenging questions about the value of life, culture, and materiality to drive new forms and practices for funerals. Many of these forms and practicesnewly catered funeral feasts, an expanded market for life insurance, and the kingdom's first crematoriumare now conspicuous across the landscape and culturally disruptive in a highly traditionalist setting. This powerful and original account details how these new matters of death, dying, and funerals have become entrenched in peoples' everyday lives and become part of a quest to create dignity in the wake of a devastating epidemic.

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