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In a development that could reshape regional dynamics in Southern Africa, the Kingdom of Eswatini has formally renewed its claims over territories currently within the borders of South Africa. On May 20, 2025, King Mswati III inaugurated a 15-member Border Restoration Committee (BRC) tasked with pursuing the return of ancestral Swazi lands that were allegedly seized during colonial and apartheid eras.
Historical Roots of the Claim
Eswatini’s territorial claims are deeply rooted in the historical expansion and contraction of the Swazi Kingdom during the 19th century. Before the advent of colonial rule, the Swazi monarchy exercised control over large swathes of land that today lie in Mpumalanga and northern KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. Eswatini contends that much of this territory was unjustly annexed by colonial and apartheid governments, fragmenting Swazi communities across modern-day borders.
One of the most contentious historical events cited by Eswatini was the 1982 agreement during South Africa’s apartheid era, in which the Pretoria government agreed to cede the Ingwavuma district to Swaziland (now Eswatini). However, this deal was ultimately struck down by South Africa’s Supreme Court following political and legal opposition, most notably from Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, then leader of the KwaZulu homeland.
Additionally, Swazi leaders reference forced removals and so-called disease control policies in the 1970s and 1980s, during which communities were displaced from border areas allegedly under the pretense of preventing cross-border disease outbreaks.
Composition and Mandate of the Committee
The newly launched Border Restoration Committee, led by Chief Mgebiseni Dlamini, a member of the royal family, is mandated to open negotiations with South African authorities, document historical claims, and mobilize diplomatic and legal resources to support Eswatini’s case. The committee is expected to consult with affected communities, historians, legal experts, and international bodies in an attempt to construct a persuasive case for land restitution.
While Eswatini has formed similar committees in the past, this latest iteration signals a more determined approach by the monarchy. Analysts suggest the move aligns with King Mswati’s broader ambitions to consolidate national unity and assert Eswatini’s sovereignty on the international stage.
Silence from Pretoria
As of now, the South African government has not issued a formal response to Eswatini’s renewed claim. South Africa has traditionally maintained that current international borders, as inherited from colonial administrations, must remain intact in line with African Union (AU) protocols which discourage redrawing borders to prevent regional conflicts.
However, Pretoria may face diplomatic pressure to engage, especially if Eswatini escalates its case to international forums such as the African Union, Southern African Development Community (SADC), or even the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Potential Ramifications
The resurgence of Eswatini’s territorial claims has stirred debate across the region. Some political analysts argue the move could strain relations between the two nations and raise concerns about potential border tensions. Others view it as largely symbolic, with slim chances of actual land transfer occurring without a major regional or international arbitration process.
There is also concern over the impact on cross-border communities who identify as Swazi but hold South African citizenship. Issues around property rights, governance, and political identity could become complex if territorial adjustments were ever implemented.
Furthermore, the push may embolden other historic land claimants in Africa to revisit colonial-era border arrangements, potentially setting a precedent that challenges the post-independence territorial status quo upheld since the 1960s.
Conclusion
Eswatini’s renewed push to reclaim land from South Africa is a powerful assertion of historical identity and national memory. While the actual likelihood of territorial change remains uncertain, the initiative highlights the unresolved legacies of colonialism in Africa and the growing demand from smaller nations for historical justice and diplomatic engagement.
How South Africa chooses to respond whether through diplomacy, negotiation, or silence will determine whether this moment marks the beginning of a substantive territorial dialogue or a symbolic reassertion of royal ambition. Either way, it is a move that has drawn regional and international attention to the complexities of historical land ownership in modern Africa.
