On the retrocession of the Transvaal in 1881 and again by the London Convention of 1884, the independence of the Swazi was recognized by the Boers. Immediately afterwards, however, the Boers began a series of efforts to obtain control of the country. In consequence Umbandine (Mbandini), the paramount chief asked in 1886 for British protection, but without avail. In 1887 gold prospectors of all nationalities were overrunning his country, and a colony of Boers settled within the Swazi territories and pro claimed "The Little Free State." It appeared on enquiry that Umbandine, a worthless and bibulous man, had granted conces sions, such as "postal, telegraphic, banking, customs," etc., to the Transvaal, and concessions of land, mining and grazing rights to any adventurer who would give him champagne and greyhounds. His concessions included exemption from taxation. The British Government refused assent to the request of President Kruger to annex the country to the Transvaal and a dual control was arranged in 189o. This scheme proved abortive owing to the objection of the Transvaal to join the South African Customs union. However, in 1894, by arrangement with the British, the administration, with certain reservations as to the rights of the natives, was taken over by the Transvaal. In seeking to acquire Swaziland President Kruger's main object was also to annex the coast lands to its east and thus obtain for the Boers—at Kosi bay—a seaport of their own. Great Britain settled the matter in 1895 by annexing Amatongaland, the region in question. (See TRANSVAAL, History.) Umbandine died in 1889, and his widow Naba Tsibeni (or Labo tsibeni) was known as the queen regent. Before the Anglo
Boer war in 1899 she took the side of the British. On the cessation of hostilities a British special commissioner was sent into the country—then in a condition bordering on anarchy—and a provisional administration established. Eventually it was decided, in 1906, to make Swaziland a British protectorate under the High Commissioner for South Africa. In that year a lad, Sobhuza II., born about 1898, was selected as ruler, Naba Tsibeni, his grand mother, being confirmed as regent during his minority. In 1921 Sobhuza was installed as paramount chief ; 'Naha Tsibeni died in Dec. 1925. She was a fine type of the older generation; Sobhuza was educated at the Lovedale missionary establishment; speaking fluent English and wearing European clothing, he was typical of many Swazi of the new school.
A legal division of the land in 1914 between the natives and the concessionaires left fully half of it in possession of Europeans. The Swazi, however, claimed overlordship and it was not until April 1926 that the judicial committee of the privy council decided that the Crown had acquired sovereign rights of disposal. In 1924 Gen. Hertzog, as prime minister, desired to incorporate Swaziland in the Union. The Swazi objected; the white settlers favoured the proposal only if the separate entity of the country was preserved and up to 5929 nothing had been done. To the able administration of De Symons Honey, Swaziland owed much.
See the Official Year Book of the Union of South Africa (Pretoria) ; the annual Report on Swaziland, issued by the Colonial Office, Lon don ; and Eric A. Walker, A History of South Africa and authorities there cited. (F. R. C.)