Sobhuza II, (also known as
Nkhotfotjeni,
Mona ) (22 July 1899 – 21 August 1982) was the
Paramount Chief and later
King of
Swaziland for 82 years, the
longest verifiable reign of any monarch in recorded history. Sobhuza was born on 22 July 1899 at Zombodze Royal Residence, the son of Inkhosikati Lomawa Ndwandwe and
King Ngwane V. When he was only four months old, his father died suddenly while dancing
incwala. Sobhuza was chosen King soon after that and his grandmother
Labotsibeni and his uncle Prince Malunge led the Swazi nation until his maturity in 1921. Sobhuza led Swaziland through independence until his death in 1982. He was succeeded by
Mswati III, his young son with Inkhosikati
Ntfombi Tfwala, who was crowned in 1986.