African Kingdoms

Lesotho

Lesotho is a small 'island' kingdom within the heart of the modern state of South Africa. Totally landlocked, it is surrounded on all sides by its bigger neighbour. The earliest peoples here were Khoisan hunter-gatherers. They were largely replaced by Wasja-speaking tribes largely during the last phase of the Bantu migrations around AD 1000.

A single state emerged under the paramount chiefs of the royal clan of the Bakwena when Moshoeshoe I formed the clan in the early nineteenth century, although it was quickly drawn under British control.

(Information by Juan Fandos-Rius.)

? - 1822

Mokhachane

Minor chief of the Bakoteli clan.

1804

The son of Mokhachane forms his own clan, the Bakwena, and becomes its chief.

1804 - 1870

Moshoeshoe I

Son. Born c.1780, died 11 Mar 1870.

1821 - 1832

Moshoeshoe and his followers settle around the Butha-Buthe Mountain, joining up with former adversaries in their resistance against the Lifaqane, a people who have associations with Shaka Zulu.

A traditional Lesotho house, this one being located in the Sani Pass

1838

The first Boer settlers arrive on the western borders of the tribal region, claiming land rights.

1843 - 1848

In order to halt the flood of settlers, Moshoeshoe signs a treaty with the British governor of the Cape Colony which establishes Basutoland as a protectorate on 13 December 1843. The Boers have to be suppressed in a short-lived action by the British in 1848.

1854 - 1868

The British temporarily pull out of the area, leaving Basutoland to fight its own battles, most notably the Free State-Basotho War against the Boers in 1858. Following defeats, Moshoeshoe appeals directly to Queen Victoria and in 1868, Basutoland becomes one of Britain's High Commission Territories.

Protectorate of Basutoland
AD 1868 - 1965

Basutoland was established as a British High Commission Territory on 12 March 1868. It was the only way to protect it against continued encroachment by Boer settlers who were intent on taking all of the territory for themselves. The agreement involved permanently ceding Basutoland's western territories, which had been taken by the Boers in 1858.

1870 - 1891

Letsie I Moshoeshoe

Born c.1811, died 20 Oct 1891.

1871

The administration of Basutoland is transferred to the British Cape Colony.

1881 - 1884

The British have been treating Basutoland in the same way as any of their conquered territories, and this leads to the Gun War in 1881. In 1884, Basutoland is returned to the status of crown colony.

1891 - 1905

Lerothodi Letsie

Ruled 20 Oct 1891 - 19 Aug 1905.

1905 - 1913

Letsie II Lerothodi

Ruled 21 Aug 1905 - 28 Jan 1913.

1913 - 1939

Nathaniel Griffith Lerothodi

Ruled 11 Apr 1913 - Jul 1939.

1939 - 1940

Simon Seeiso Griffith

Ruled 3 Aug 1939 - 26 Dec 1940.

1940 - 1941

Gabasane Masupha

Acting head of state 26 Dec 1940 - 28 Jan 1941.

1941 - 1960

Mantsebo Amelia 'Matsaba

Female. Acting head of state 28 Jan 1941 - 12 Mar 1960.

1960 - 1965

Moshoeshoe II

Ruled 12 Mar 1960 - 30 Apr 1965.

1965

Basutoland is granted autonomy by Britain, becoming a kingdom on 30 April with Moshoeshoe on the throne.

Kingdom of Basutoland
AD 1965 - 1966

Upon gaining autonomy from Britain, the protectorate became a kingdom on 30 April 1965.

1965 - 1966

Moshoeshoe II

King, 30 Apr 1965 - 30 Oct 1966.

1966

Full independence is gained from Britain and the kingdom is renamed Lesotho on 4 October.

Kingdom of Lesotho
AD 1966 - Present Day

Modern Lesotho is located as an island state in western South Africa, which surrounds it on all sides. The kingdom's capital is at Maseru, which is also its largest city.

The kingdom gained full independence from Britain and was renamed on 4 October 1966. Lesotho remained within the Commonwealth of Nations.

1966 - 1970

Moshoeshoe II

King, 30 Oct 1966 - 10 Feb 1970.

1970

The ruling national party loses the first general election, but the prime minister, Leabua Jonathan, refuses to cede power to the winning opposition and declares himself returned to the role of head of state. A low-level and generally ineffective revolt begins against him. The king is reduced to the role of ceremonial monarch.

1970

Leabua Jonathan

Head of state, 10 Feb 1970 - 5 Jun 1970.

1970

Mamohato

Queen Regent, 5 Jun 1970 - 5 Dec 1970.

1970 - 1990

Moshoeshoe II

Restored, 5 Dec 1970 - 10 Mar 1990. Exiled 1987.

1986

A military coup forces the ruling party out of office. A military council is established which grants executive power to the king, but after a falling out the following year the king goes into exile.

1990

Mamohato

Queen Regent, 10 Mar 1990 - 12 Nov 1990.

1990 - 1995

Letsie III

Son. King, 12 Nov 1990 - 25 Jan 1995.

1991 - 1995

The military junta changes hands in 1991 and as a result power is handed over to a democratically elected government in 1993. Moshoeshoe returns as a private citizen in 1992 and Letsie abdicates in favour of his father in 1995.

1995 - 1996

Moshoeshoe II

Restored, 25 Jan 1995 - 15 Jan 1996.

1996

Moshoeshoe dies in a potentially questionable car accident, and his son succeeds him on the throne.

By 2006, the Katse Dam was the highest in Africa

1996

Queen Mamohato

Queen Regent, 15 Jan 1996 - 7 Feb 1996.

1996 - Present

Letsie III

Restored from 7 Feb.

Prince Lerotholi Seeiso

Son and heir, born 2007.