Sobhuza II

Who was Sobhuza II?

Sobhuza II, KBE was the Paramount Chief and later King of Swaziland for 82 years, the longest verifiable reign in recorded history. Sobhuza was born on 22 July 1899 at Zombodze Royal Residence, the son of Inkhosikati Lomawa Ndwandwe and King Ngwane V. When he was only four months old, his father died suddenly while dancing incwala. Sobhuza was chosen King soon after that and his grandmother Labotsibeni and his uncle Prince Malunge led the Swazi nation until his majority in 1921. Sobhuza led Swaziland through independence until his death in 1982. He was succeeded by Mswati III his young son with Inkhosikati Ntombi Tfwala who was crowned in 1986.