Swaziland Progressive Party
Encyclopedia
The Swaziland Progressive Party was the first political party founded in Swaziland
.
. In 1935, the Association had less than 100 members. In 1939, the Association split into Swazi and non-Swazi camps. John Nquku
became President of the Association in 1945.
an and American
politicians. The party set about on the path to self-government and then independence. In 1962, Nquku was deposed as Party President and replaced with Ambrose Zwane. By appealing to the British
government for democratic institutions to be included in the Swazi constitution, the SPP managed to secure a place in the 1964 general election
. However, when the election showed widespread support in Swazi society for King Sobhuza II
, the party lost influence.
, adoption of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, and integration of Swaziland's white minority and Swazi majority and ending racial discrimination.
, Basotho National Party
in Lesotho
, as well as the Progressive Party
also in South Africa.
Swaziland
Swaziland, officially the Kingdom of Swaziland , and sometimes called Ngwane or Swatini, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, bordered to the north, south and west by South Africa, and to the east by Mozambique...
.
Background
A Progressive Association was founded in 1929 under the auspices of the Resident Commissioner of the British EmpireBritish Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
. In 1935, the Association had less than 100 members. In 1939, the Association split into Swazi and non-Swazi camps. John Nquku
John Nquku
John June Nquku was an early Swaziland nationalist and political leader. Though born in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa of Zulu parents, Nquku moved to Swaziland in 1930 to become the first African inspector of Swazi schools. In 1945, Nquku became President of the Progressive Association, which...
became President of the Association in 1945.
Party
The Association was transformed into a party in 1959-1960 by Nquku, who had travelled and met many EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an and American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politicians. The party set about on the path to self-government and then independence. In 1962, Nquku was deposed as Party President and replaced with Ambrose Zwane. By appealing to the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
government for democratic institutions to be included in the Swazi constitution, the SPP managed to secure a place in the 1964 general election
Swazi parliamentary election, 1964
General elections were held in Swaziland between 23 and 25 June 1964. There were two voter rolls, a national roll from which eight blacks and four whites would be elected, and a white roll from which four people would be elected...
. However, when the election showed widespread support in Swazi society for King Sobhuza II
Sobhuza II of Swaziland
Ngwenyama Sobhuza II was the Paramount Chief and later King of Swaziland. He was the son of Ngwane V.-Biography:...
, the party lost influence.
Policies
The SPP had a four point program: Non-racial universal enfranchisement, opposition to incorporation into South AfricaSouth Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, adoption of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, and integration of Swaziland's white minority and Swazi majority and ending racial discrimination.
1959
Around the same time as the SPP was founded, several other parties with varying degrees of progressive ideals were founded in Southern Africa. These include the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania in South AfricaSouth Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, Basotho National Party
Basotho National Party
The Basotho National Party is a political party in Lesotho, founded in the 1959 as the Basutoland National Party by Leabua Jonathan. He was Prime Minister from 1965 until the coup of 1986....
in Lesotho
Lesotho
Lesotho , officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a landlocked country and enclave, surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. It is just over in size with a population of approximately 2,067,000. Its capital and largest city is Maseru. Lesotho is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The name...
, as well as the Progressive Party
Progressive Party (South Africa)
The Progressive Party was a liberal party in South Africa that opposed the ruling National Party's policies of apartheid, and championed the Rule of Law. For years its only member of parliament was Helen Suzman...
also in South Africa.