Swazi king Mswati III today fled the country in the face of popular anger.
Here's a thread on the history of protest in eSwatini. In 1963 striking miners & sugar workers demanded better wages & an open political system. The strike was put down by British troops flown frm Kenya.
Here's a thread on the history of protest in eSwatini. In 1963 striking miners & sugar workers demanded better wages & an open political system. The strike was put down by British troops flown frm Kenya.
2/
The strike leaders were identified by hooded 'screeners'--a technique borrowed from the British campaign against Mau Mau in Kenya.
Below: British troops round up striking workers at an asbestos mine in eSwatini, June 1963. They were demanding one man-one vote.
The strike leaders were identified by hooded 'screeners'--a technique borrowed from the British campaign against Mau Mau in Kenya.
Below: British troops round up striking workers at an asbestos mine in eSwatini, June 1963. They were demanding one man-one vote.
3/
In 1964 voters went to the polls for the first time in 61 years of British colonial control. The king--Sobhuza II--launched a political party to contest the election. He intended to take Swaziland into apartheid South Africa--a means of reinforcing his royal power.
In 1964 voters went to the polls for the first time in 61 years of British colonial control. The king--Sobhuza II--launched a political party to contest the election. He intended to take Swaziland into apartheid South Africa--a means of reinforcing his royal power.
4/
Swaziland's 1st legislature sat in Sept 1964. It was dominated by Sobhuza II's party, which wanted an absolute monarchy.
Protestors, however, insisted that Swaziland should be a democracy. Here members of the Nat Liberation Council protest under their leader, Domisa Dhalmini.
Swaziland's 1st legislature sat in Sept 1964. It was dominated by Sobhuza II's party, which wanted an absolute monarchy.
Protestors, however, insisted that Swaziland should be a democracy. Here members of the Nat Liberation Council protest under their leader, Domisa Dhalmini.
5/
eSwatini got its independence on 7 Sept. 1968. There was a weak legislature; King Sobhuza II was the head of state. Here's a clip of the ceremony in Mbabane, in which the king--bedecked in feathers--receives the instruments of govt. from the Commonwealth Secretary.
eSwatini got its independence on 7 Sept. 1968. There was a weak legislature; King Sobhuza II was the head of state. Here's a clip of the ceremony in Mbabane, in which the king--bedecked in feathers--receives the instruments of govt. from the Commonwealth Secretary.
6/
In 1973 Sobhuza II suspended the constitution, abolished the legislature & thereafter ruled by decree.
Here's an @itn interview with a royalist spokesman, Jan. 1963. He decries democratic leaders & argues that the Swazi monarchy promotes wide participation in politics.
In 1973 Sobhuza II suspended the constitution, abolished the legislature & thereafter ruled by decree.
Here's an @itn interview with a royalist spokesman, Jan. 1963. He decries democratic leaders & argues that the Swazi monarchy promotes wide participation in politics.
@itn 7/
And here's an @itn interview with a leading nationalist politician--whose name I don't know--from Jan. 1963.
He argues that the British had done too little to promote democracy, and advocates for an elected government, allied to a democratic South Africa.
And here's an @itn interview with a leading nationalist politician--whose name I don't know--from Jan. 1963.
He argues that the British had done too little to promote democracy, and advocates for an elected government, allied to a democratic South Africa.
@itn 8/
What's the point? Swazi kings have long sought to control political life in the name of tradition.
In fact their authority was--at critical points--propped up by British power.
Activists today have a long & inspirational history to draw on as they challenge Mswati III.
What's the point? Swazi kings have long sought to control political life in the name of tradition.
In fact their authority was--at critical points--propped up by British power.
Activists today have a long & inspirational history to draw on as they challenge Mswati III.
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