Dzeliwe of Swaziland

Inkhosikati LaShongwe Dzeliwe Shongwe (1927-2003) was queen regent of Swaziland between September 21, 1982 and August 9 of 1983.

Biography

She was the wife of King Sobhuza II and with him she had a son, Prince Khuzulwandle Dlamini.

Succession

Following Sobhuza's death in August 1982, the Royal Council appointed her as Queen Regent until Prince Makhosetive (appointed by the king as his successor) reached the age of 21. She appointed the Liqoqo but disagreements soon arose between the Prime Minister, Prince Mabandla Dlamini, and other members of the Council led by Prince Mfanasibili Dlamini. These problems were resolved in March when Mabandla was replaced as prime minister by traditionalist Prince Bhekimpi Dlamini. But Queen Dzeliwe opposed this deposition and on August 9, 1983 by the power of the "Authority", an important hereditary position, held by Prince Sozisa Dlamini, president of the Liqoqo, she was also deposed as Regent and in September of that year Makhosetive's mother, Queen Ntombi, was appointed as regent.

Prince Makhosetive was crowned on April 25, 1986, as King Mswati III. In May Mswati dissolved the Liqoqo, thus consolidating his power, and reorganized the Government.

Overthrow

In May 1987, twelve people were charged with sedition and treason, in connection with the overthrow of Queen Regent Dzeliwe in 1983. King Mswati established a special court in November to try these crimes against the King or Queen Regent., in which the accused lacked the right to legal representation. In March 1988, ten of the accused were convicted by the court, although they were released in July.

Between 1981 and 1985, she held the position of co-president of the National Council.

He died in 2003.