Historical Timeline

Timeline of Eswatini

12 dated events spanning the recorded history of Eswatini.

Chronology

12 events spanning the history of Eswatini. BCE/CE dating.

1894
Britain and the Boer Republic of Transvaal jointly rule Swaziland.
Britain and the Boer Republic of Transvaal jointly rule Swaziland.
1903
Swaziland becomes a British protectorate.
Swaziland becomes a British protectorate.
1907
Swaziland becomes a British High Commission territory.
Swaziland becomes a British High Commission territory.
1968
Swaziland is granted formal independence.
Swaziland is granted formal independence, within the Commonwealth, and adopts a new constitution. Authority is vested in the new parliament, a proportion of the members are nominated by the monarch.
1977
The parliamentary system is abolished and replaced by traditional tribal communities.
The parliamentary system is abolished and replaced by traditional tribal communities.
1988
A motion calling for a review of the legislative structure is rejected by the prime minister.
A motion calling for a review of the legislative structure is rejected by the prime minister, despite majority support in the senate.
1996
Constitutional Review Commission to draft proposals for a new constitution.
King Mswati announces a Constitutional Review Commission to draft proposals for a new constitution.
2002
A government plan to buy Swaziland’s King Mswati III a $250 million luxury jet.
A government plan to buy Swaziland’s King Mswati III a $250 million luxury jet, a price five times the nation’s national deficit, drew protests in this South African nation, which has been plagued by severe food shortages.
2003
Voters chose a new parliament in one of the world’s last absolute monarchies.
Voters chose a new parliament in one of the world’s last absolute monarchies, while pro-democracy groups denounced the vote as a sham. Political parties were banned and King Mswati III ruled by royal decree.
2004
UN Aids envoy says Swaziland has the world’s highest rate of HIV infection.
UN Aids envoy says Swaziland has the world’s highest rate of HIV infection.

2004
King Mswati III has ordered nine palaces built within existing royal compounds.
A senior Swaziland aide said King Mswati III has ordered nine palaces built within existing royal compounds to house seven of his 10 wives and two future brides. Some $15 million of his impoverished kingdom’s national budget would be used on the project.
2005
King signs a new constitution. The document has been eight years in the making.
King signs a new constitution. The document has been eight years in the making.

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Timeline of Eswatini

Chronology

Britain and the Boer Republic of Transvaal jointly rule Swaziland.

Swaziland becomes a British protectorate.

Swaziland becomes a British High Commission territory.

Swaziland is granted formal independence.

The parliamentary system is abolished and replaced by traditional tribal communities.

A motion calling for a review of the legislative structure is rejected by the prime minister.

Constitutional Review Commission to draft proposals for a new constitution.

A government plan to buy Swaziland’s King Mswati III a $250 million luxury jet.

Voters chose a new parliament in one of the world’s last absolute monarchies.

UN Aids envoy says Swaziland has the world’s highest rate of HIV infection.