Ndlovukati (literally, "She-Elephant", pl.
Tindlovukati) is the
Swazi title for the female
head of state of
Swaziland and is roughly equivalent to a
Queen Mother or Senior Queen in other countries. The title is given preferentially to the mother of the reigning
King (styled the
Ngwenyama, "Lion of
Swaziland"), or to another female royal of high status if the King's mother has died. Indlovukati rules alongside the Ngwenyama, and when there is no King, she rules as a Queen Regent. The current Ndlovukati is Queen
Ntombi Tfwala, the mother of Ngwenyama
Mswati III and wife of
Sobhuza II. She has also been Queen Regent from 1983 until 1986 when Mswati became King. The most notable Queen Regent was Ndlovukati
Labotsibeni Mdluli who ruled Swaziland from 1899 until 1921 when she abdicated for Sobhuza II.