Mbandzeni (also known as
Dlamini IV,
Umbandine,
Umbandeen ) (1855–1889) was the King of
Swaziland from 1875 until 1889.
Ingwenyama Mbandzeni was the son of
Mswati II and Nandzi Nkambule. His mother the wife of King Mswati had died when he was still very young. Mbandzeni ascended to the throne after his half brother
Ludvonga II died before he could become the king. Ludvonga's death resulted in his mother inkhosikati Lamgangeni adopting Mbandzeni who was motherless as her son, thus making him King and her the Queen mother of Swaziland. His royal capital was at Mbekelweni. During his kingship Mbandzeni, granted many mining, farming, trading and administrative concessions to white settlers from
Britain and the
Transvaal. These concessions granted with the help of Offy sherpstone eventually led to the conventions of 1884 and 1894, which reduced the overall borders of Swaziland and later made Swaziland a protectorate of the
South African Republic. Mbandzeni, still in command of a large Swazi army of more than 15000 men aided the British in defeating
Sekhukhune in 1879 and preventing
Zulu incursion into the Transvaal during the same year. As a result, he guaranteed his country's independence and international recognition despite the
Scramble for Africa which was taking place at the time. Mbandzeni died after illness in 1889 and said on his deathbed "
the Swazi kingship dies with me". He was buried at the royal cemetery at Mbilaneni alongside his father and grandfather
Sobhuza I. Mbandzeni was succeeded by his young son
Mahlokohla and his wife Queen
Labotsibeni Mdluli after a 5 year regency of Queen
Tibati Nkambule. Today a number of buildings and roads in Swaziland are named after Mbandzeni. Among these the Mbandzeni house in
Mbabane and the Mbandzeni Highway to
Siteki are named after him.