Relations of the Swazi people with the Europeans

Relations of the Swazi people with the Europeans


During and shortly after the M'fecane upheaval, Zulu military attacks on the Swazi forced them to go in alliance with the Boers and the British.
By 1840's, the Boers settled in the Swazi territory to reduce Zulu attacks on the Swazi. With this Boer settlement, the Swazi kingdom gained access to fertile land in their territory up to the Kosi bay in the East.
In 186.4, the Boers helped the Swazi defeat the Pondo tribe. The Boers also freezed the threat of Chief Sekhukhuni of the Pedi by 1877, although they were weakened.
Boer influence in the Swazi Kingdom increased more after a succession war when they benefited and allied with Mbandzini after the death of Chief Mswati.
With the support of the Boers, Mbandzini became chief and their influence in the Swazi Kingdom increased with mining and trade right in the kingdom.
Mbandzini also attempted to reduce Boer influence in his kingdom when he appointed Sir. Theophilus Shepstone to be in charge of the white settlers.
In 1889, Chief Mbandzini died and the Swazi regent who was also a queen asked the British Government to give them protected against extended invaders.
By 1894, the British government refused the request on the advice of the British South African Company (BSACO) and instead the South African Republic or Transvaal Republic was made responsible for the Swazi Kingdom by the British.
The Boers introduced a number of taxes in the Swazi State, as they disrespected their traditional government, which brought discontency among the Swazi people. _
After the end of the second Anglo-Boer war 1902, the British ended control in the Swazi state.
The Swazi state with Whiteman's union knocking soon was annexed to Transvaal, when the latter was made a British colony.