The Monarch

Swaziland is a unitary state, with the king as hereditary head of state, the commander-in-chief of the defence forces, and head of the police and correctional services. In the Swazi tradition, the king and his mother, the Indlovukazi, must reign together. Thus at any given time, there is a king and Indlovukazi and two royal headquarters or residences. The king’s residence is the administrative headquarters and the Indlovukazi’s residence is the national capital and the spiritual and ceremonial home of the nation. It is where all-important national events, such as the Incwala (kingship) ceremony, take place. The present national capital is Ludzidzini.