Eswatini: Polity Style: 1895-2024 |
| 10 Dec 1894 |
a Convention between the United Kingdom and Transvaal (South African Republic) is signed near Charlestown and Volksrust (ratified by the legislature of the Transvaal 13 Feb 1895) [British and Foreign State Papers, 86:61-66] |
| 21 Feb 1895 |
constituted as a territory, including the lands inhabited by the Swazi Nation, under the protection and administration of the Transvaal (South African Republic) in accordance with a proclamation of 20 Feb 1895 [Staatscourant, 20 Feb 1895] |
| 21 Feb 1895 - 25 Apr 1967 |
Swaziland [1] |
| 7 Aug 1903 |
protection and administration is transferred to the monarch of the United Kingdom "by virtue of the conquest and annexation of the South African Republic", Order-in-Council passed by the United Kingdom Privy Council 25 Jun 1903 (effective upon publication in Transvaal Gazette, 7 Aug 1903) [2] |
| 25 Apr 1967 |
constituted as a protected state in accordance with an agreement signed 24 Apr 1967 (effective 25 Apr 1967) |
| 25 Apr 1967 - 6 Sep 1968 |
Protected State of Swaziland |
| 6 Sep 1968 |
ceases to be a protected state and becomes an independent state in accordance with Art. 1 of the Swaziland Independence Act, 1968 (receives Royal Assent 26 Jul 1968) [3] |
| 6 Sep 1968 - 17 May 2018 |
Kingdom of Swaziland [4] |
| 17 May 2018 |
name of the state is changed in accordance with a declaration published as Legal Notice No. 80 of 2018 (effective upon publication; retroactively effective from 19 Apr 2018) (Government Gazette, No. 70?, 17 May 2018; Swazi Observer, 18 May 2018, p. 6) [5] |
| 17 May 2018 - |
Kingdom of Eswatini |
| Sources and notes: |
| [1] |
Originally spelled "Swazieland" in the Convention of 1894 and in legal documents issued by the authorities of the Transvaal. |
| [2] |
The status of Swaziland was not formally defined in statutory law, but the judgment of the UK Privy Council of 15 Apr 1926 referred to it as a protectorate "which approximated in constitutional status to a Crown Colony" (Sobhuza II v. Miller [1926] AC 518 PC). It was governed under the provisions of the Foreign Jurisdiction Act, 1890, in the name of the King (and then Queen) of the United Kingdom. |
| [3] |
Full title (English): An Act to make provision for, and in connection with, the attainment by Swaziland of fully responsible status within the Commonwealth |
| [4] |
In official, but not statutory use (in siSwati): Umbuso weSwatini |
| [5] |
Public announcement of the change of the name was made by King Mswati III at Mavuzo Trade Centre, Manzini, 19 Apr 2018 (Swazi Observer, 21 Apr 2018, pp. 1-3). |
