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 on 27 December 1949) is the current Queen Mother of Eswatini. She has held this important role since 1986. Before that, she was the regent of Eswatini from 1983 to 1986. She is the mother of the current king, Mswati III.
Early Life and Family
Ntfombi married King Sobhuza II of Swaziland. They had a son together, who later became Prince Makhosetive Dlamini.
In 1982, King Sobhuza chose another of his wives, Queen Dzeliwe, to be the Ndlovukati. This meant Queen Dzeliwe would rule alongside his future successor. However, King Sobhuza did not name one of her sons as his next king. Instead, he told his group of advisors, called the Loqoqo, that he wanted Prince Makhosetive Dlamini to become king after him.
Becoming Queen Regent
After King Sobhuza II passed away, there was a time when no one was fully in charge. Queen Dzeliwe became the Queen Regent. This meant she would rule while the chosen heir, Prince Makhosetive, was still too young.
However, the Loqoqo group, made up of King Sobhuza's older relatives and advisors, took over much of her power. They even removed the prime minister, Prince Mabandla Dlamini.
Once Prince Makhosetive Dlamini became an adult and officially became king, his mother would then become the new Ndlovukati. But in 1983, Queen Dzeliwe was placed under house arrest. After a short period of 9 days when another prince ruled, Ntfombi was chosen to be the new queen regent.
In 1985, Ntfombi was featured in a famous portrait series by artist Andy Warhol. She was one of four Reigning Queens included, along with queens from the Netherlands, Denmark, and the United Kingdom.
Role as Indlovukazi
In 1986, when Prince Makhosetive turned 18, he was crowned King Mswati III. When he became king, he followed tradition and declared his mother, Ntfombi, to be the Indlovukazi. This title is similar to a queen mother. It literally means Great She-Elephant.
As the Indlovukazi, Ntfombi is seen as the spiritual and national leader of Eswatini. Her son, King Mswati III, is considered the administrative leader. Together, they are the joint heads of state.
See also
In Spanish: Ntombi de Suazilandia para niños
