Moshoeshoe II

/moh shway"shway/, (Constantine Bereng Seeiso)

born 1938, king of Lesotho 1966-90.

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▪ 1997

      (CONSTANTINE BERENG SEEISO), king of Lesotho (b. May 2, 1938, Thabang, Basutoland [now Lesotho]—d. Jan. 15, 1996, in the Maloti Mountains, Lesotho), struggled to define the role of the monarchy and was twice sent into exile and once deposed. He was educated locally at Roma College, Maseru, and in Great Britain both at Ampleforth College and at Corpus Christi College, Oxford. As descendant and namesake of Moshoeshoe (Mshweshwe)—who founded the Sotho kingdom, Basutoland, in the 19th century—he claimed his royal birthright by succeeding his father, Seeiso Griffith, as paramount chief of the country in 1960. When the U.K. granted independence to Basutoland in 1966, he became Moshoeshoe II, the first king of Lesotho. Despite his national popularity and his efforts to become more than just a figurehead, he faced political opposition in his own country and in neighbouring South Africa, which surrounds Lesotho. Concerned with Moshoeshoe's involvement in politics, Prime Minister Leabua Jonathan placed him under house arrest, first in 1966 and again in 1970, forcing Moshoeshoe into exile in The Netherlands for eight months while his wife, Queen Mamohato, functioned as regent. He was restored to the throne on the condition that he abstain from political activities. In 1986 Jonathan was toppled in a military coup by Maj. Gen. Justin Lekhanya, who subsequently suspended Moshoeshoe's executive powers and forced him into exile in England. While in exile the king attempted to initiate democratic elections and, as a result, was deposed and replaced by his eldest son, Crown Prince Letsie III. Moshoeshoe remained popular with the people of Lesotho, however, and, in 1991, when the government was seized by another military figure, Maj. Gen. Elias Ramaema, plans were laid for Moshoeshoe's eventual return in 1992. In 1993 Lesotho held free elections, and with the assistance of Letsie III and Nelson Mandela of South Africa, Moshoeshoe was reinstated as king of Lesotho on Jan. 25, 1995.

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▪ king of Lesotho

original name  Constantine Bereng Seeiso 

born May 2, 1938, Thabang, Basutoland [now Lesotho]

died Jan. 15, 1996, in the Maloti Mountains, Lesotho

      the first king of Lesotho, who struggled to define the monarchy as he was twice sent into exile and was once deposed.

      He was educated locally at Roma College, Maseru, and in Great Britain at Ampleforth College and at Corpus Christi College, Oxford. The descendant and namesake of Moshoeshoe (Mshweshwe)—who founded the Sotho Kingdom, Basutoland—he claimed his royal birthright by succeeding his father, Seeiso Griffith, as paramount chief of the country in 1960. Six years later, when Basutoland became independent, he became Moshoeshoe II, the first king of Lesotho.

      Despite his popularity, Moshoeshoe faced political opposition in his own country and in South Africa as he sought to become more than just a figurehead. Though the constitution limited the authority of the monarch, Moshoeshoe attempted to extend his powers, causing Prime Minister Leabua Jonathan, of the Basotho National Party (BNP), to place him under house arrest in December 1966. A month later Moshoeshoe agreed to honour the constitution, which effectively gave executive power to the prime minister. After the opposition party, Basotho Congress Party (BCP), won the general election in 1970, however, Jonathan declared a state of emergency, and Moshoeshoe was again put under house arrest and was later forced into exile in The Netherlands for eight months while his wife, Queen Mamhato, functioned as regent. In 1986 Jonathan was overthrown in a military coup led by Major General Justin Lekhanya, who subsequently suspended Moshoeshoe's executive powers. In 1990 Moshoeshoe went into exile in England.

      While in exile Moshoeshoe attempted to initiate democratic elections and, as a result, was deposed and replaced by his eldest son, Crown Prince Letsie III, who promised not to become involved in the country's politics. Moshoeshoe remained popular with the people of Lesotho, however, and in 1991, when the government was seized by Major General Elias Ramaema, plans were laid for Moshoeshoe's return in 1992. Free elections were held in 1993, and with the assistance of Letsie III and Nelson Mandela (Mandela, Nelson) of South Africa, Moshoeshoe was reinstated as king of Lesotho on January 25, 1995. He died the following year in a car accident and was succeeded by Letsie III.

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