The successor to the throne is chosen in relation to the status of the mother. A Queen
mother is selected because of her high rank, however, the Queen Mother will be chosen by
the Royal Council after the King's death, she will be from an unrelated family. The Royal
family line, the Dlamini's never intermarry: the King is always a Dlamini, the Queen
motheris never a Dlamini. the Queen mother may only have one son, as a king is not to be
followed by his blood brothers. He is "Nkosi Dlamini" and is expected to unify
his position by choosing wives from all sectors of the community.
The balance of power lies between the King and the Queen mother: The "Ngwenyama"
represents the hardness as expressed in thunder, the Queen mother or
"Ndlovukazi" (She Elephant) the softness as in water. They assist and advise
each other in many activities, each complementing the other.
The Royal Council plays a key role in the selection of the successor to the throne. He
must be single and if still a minore, the Queen mother to the late King automatically
assumes responsibility of Regent until the Crown Prince is crowned as the
"Ngwenyama." The present Queen mother, Queen Ntombi ruled as Queen Regent until King Mswati III was crowned in April, 1986.
Text excerpted from Swaziland Jumbo Tourist Guide
by Hazel Hussey
Photos courtesy of Rumi Takahashi
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