The colonial experience, indigenous leaders and the capitalization of the Swazi monarchy

Abstract

Historians and other researchers have analysed different aspects of Swazi historical affairs. One of the themes that has attracted academic attention is that of continuity and change, especially under the impact of colonialism. In spite of this attention, the institution of monarchy has been scantily investigated in terms of the extent to which it was transformed through the adoption of colonial economic values. In those instances where the monarchy has been investigated along the continuum of change, debatable conclusions have been drawn. This article reveals how the Swazi monarchy was transformed as a result of adopting the economic values of capitalism that came with capitalism. The article shows how the institution of monarchy was capitalized at the expense of the majority of the citizens. The article shows that as a result of this capitalization the monarchy lost the values it possessed before colonialism, and understood by the indigenous population. The analysis of the institution of monarchy in Swaziland is historically very important because it offers an explanatory tool for the existence of economic inequalities in Swaziland, and failure to achieve meaningful economic development.