Ntfombi of Eswatini facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ntfombi |
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|---|---|
| Ndlovukati | |
Ntfombi in 2016
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| Queen Mother of Eswatini | |
| Reign | 25 April 1986 – present |
| Coronation | 25 April 1986 |
| Predecessor | Dzeliwe (as regent) |
| King | Mswati III |
| Queen regent of Swaziland | |
| Regency | 25 March 1983 – 24 April 1986 |
| Predecessor | Sobhuza II (as king) Dzeliwe (as queen regent) |
| Successor | Mswati III (as king) |
| Born | Ntfombi Tfwala 27 December 1949 Swaziland (now Eswatini) |
| Spouse | |
| Issue | Mswati III |
| House | Dlamini (by marriage) |
Ntfombi (born Ntfombi Tfwala; 27 December 1949) is a very important royal figure in Eswatini. She has been the Queen Mother of Eswatini since 1986. Before that, she was the regent of Eswatini from 1983 to 1986. A regent is someone who rules a country when the king or queen is too young or unable to rule. Ntfombi is the mother of the current King, Mswati III.
Early Life and Family
Ntfombi married King Sobhuza II of Swaziland. They had a son named Prince Makhosetive Dlamini. He is now King Mswati III.
In 1982, King Sobhuza chose another of his wives, Queen Dzeliwe, to be the Ndlovukati. This meant she would rule alongside his future successor. Instead of picking one of her sons to be the next king, he told his special group of advisors, called the Loqoqo, that he wanted Prince Makhosetive Dlamini to become king. In June 1982, King Sobhuza also gave more power to the Loqoqo. He allowed them to act as a "Supreme Council of State." This meant they could choose a special person to use the king's powers if a regent wasn't doing a good job.
Queen Dzeliwe's Time as Regent
After King Sobhuza II passed away, there was a time when no one was clearly in charge. During this time, Ndlovukati Dzeliwe became the Queen Regent. She ruled while the chosen future king, Prince Makhosetive, was still too young. However, the Loqoqo, which included many of King Sobhuza's older relatives and advisors, took away some of her power. They also removed King Sobhuza's prime minister, Prince Mabandla Dlamini. The Loqoqo members were worried he might take away their new roles.
Once Prince Makhosetive Dlamini became old enough and officially became king, his mother, Ntfombi, was expected to become the new Ndlovukati. But in 1983, Queen Dzeliwe was placed under house arrest. For nine days, Prince Sozisa Dlamini ruled Eswatini. After this, Ntfombi was chosen to be the new queen regent.
In 1985, Ntfombi was featured in a series of portraits by the famous artist Andy Warhol. She was one of four "Reigning Queens" in his art, alongside queens Beatrix of the Netherlands, Margrethe II of Denmark, and Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.
Becoming Indlovukazi
In 1986, when Prince Makhosetive turned 18, he was crowned King Mswati III. When he became king, it was the custom to declare his mother the Indlovukazi. This title is similar to a queen mother and means "Great She-Elephant." As Indlovukazi, Ntfombi became a joint head of state with her son.
As the Queen Mother, Ntfombi is seen as the spiritual and national leader of Eswatini. Her son, King Mswati III, is considered the administrative head of state. This means they share the leadership roles in the country.
See also
In Spanish: Ntombi de Suazilandia para niños
