Swaziland Progressive Party
{{short description|Political party in Eswatini}}
{{use dmy|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox political party
| name = Swaziland Progressive Party
| colorcode = {{party color|Swaziland Progressive Party}}
| leader = John Nquku
| foundation = 1959-1960
| banned = 1973
| ideology = Progressivism
Nationalism
Anti-racism
Human rights
| country = Eswatini
}}
{{Politics of Swaziland}}
The Swaziland Progressive Party was one of the first political parties founded in Swaziland. It was banned in 1973 due to the banning of all political parties.
Background
A Progressive Association was founded in 1929 under the auspices of the Resident Commissioner of the British Empire. In 1935, the Association had less than 100 members. In 1939, the Association split into Swazi and non-Swazi camps. John Nquku became President of the Association in 1945.{{Cite journal|url=https://www.jstor.org/pss/158913|title=Swaziland Political Development by R.P. Stevens, The Journal of Modern African Studies, 1963|journal=The Journal of Modern African Studies |date=1963 |volume=1 |issue=3 |pages=327–350 |jstor=158913 |accessdate=20 June 2025 |last1=Stevens |first1=R. P. |doi=10.1017/S0022278X00001737 }}
Party
The Association was transformed into a party in 1959-1960 by Nquku, who had travelled and met many European and American politicians.{{cite journal | url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/CFC761DB4417C5EE8FB427AA40E5B353/S0022278X00013495a.pdf/changing-political-configurations-in-swaziland.pdf | doi=10.1017/S0022278X00013495 | title=Changing Political Configurations in Swaziland |accessdate=2025-06-20 | date=1966 | last1=Potholm | first1=Christian P. | journal=The Journal of Modern African Studies | volume=4 | issue=3 | pages=313–322 }} The party set about on the path to self-government and then independence. They were viewed as a challenge to the traditional Swazi tribal authorities. In 1962, Nquku was deposed as Party President and replaced with Ambrose Zwane. By appealing to the British government for democratic institutions to be included in the Swazi constitution, the SPP managed to secure a place in the 1964 general election. However, when the election showed widespread support in Swazi society for King Sobhuza II, the party lost influence. Following the 1972 Swazi general election, the King dissolved parliament, abolished the constitution and declared personal rule. A 1973 Royal Constitutional Commission recommended the banning of all political parties, which was agreed to by the King.{{cite web |url=https://www.chathamhouse.org/sites/default/files/home/chatham/public_html/sites/default/files/20130900SwazilandVandomeVinesWeimer.pdf |title=Swaziland: Southern Africa’s Forgotten Crisis |publisher=Chatham House |accessdate=2025-06-20}}
Policies
The SPP had a four-point program: Non-racial universal enfranchisement, opposition to incorporation into South Africa, adoption of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, and integration of Swaziland's white minority and Swazi majority and ending racial discrimination.
References
{{Reflist}}
- A History of Post-War Africa, John Hatch, 1965
{{Political parties in Eswatini}}
Category:1959 establishments in Swaziland
Category:1973 disestablishments in Swaziland
Category:Anti-racist organizations in Africa
Category:Banned political parties
Category:Defunct political parties in Eswatini
Category:Nationalist parties in Africa
Category:Political parties disestablished in 1973