This article discusses the house of Assembly of Eswatini, from the history to the composition and speakers of the house of Assembly.
The House of Assembly of Eswatini is the lower chamber of the country’s bicameral Parliament. The Assembly may debate and pass bills.
History
The House of Assembly was established in 1967 when the Legislative Council was disbanded and bicameral legislature was established in the new constitution.
Constitution
A maximum of 76 members are permitted by section 95 (1) of the Constitution. There are currently 66. Fifty-five members are elected from single-member constituencies corresponding to the tinkhundlas (tribal communities). Fourteen tinkhundlas are in Hhohho District, 11 in Lubombo District, 16 in Manzini District, and 14 in Shiselweni District. The King appoints the other ten members, at least half of whom must be women. The 66th member is the Speaker of the House, who is elected from outside the House. If the percentage of women members falls below 30%, a maximum of four women may be elected from the administrative regions.
Read: POLITICAL HISTORY OF ESWATINI
Each member must be a citizen of Eswatini, at least 18 years old, a registered voter, and have “paid all taxes or made arrangements satisfactory to the Commissioner of Taxes”.
The House selects ten of the 30 members of the upper chamber, the Senate of Eswatini, the King appointing the rest.
speakers of the House of Assembly
The Speaker is elected by the House, either among its own members (other than ministers) or from among persons who are not members. This is an incomplete list of speakers of the House of Assembly of Eswatini before and after Swaziland was renamed to Eswatini.
list of speakers of the House of Assembly of Eswatini:
| Name | Entered office | Left office |
| Msindazwe Sukati | 1967 | 1968 |
| Ian Banwell Aers, OBE | 1968 | 1973 |
| In abeyance | 1973 | 1980 |
| Jethro M. Mamba | 1980 | 1984 |
| Seth Z. S. Dlamini | 1984 | 1994 |
| Musa Sibandze | 1994 | 1998 |
| Mgabhi Dlamini | 1998 | March 2000 |
| Mntonzima Dlamini | March 2000 | 2000 |
| Nicholas S’kakadza Matsebula | July 2000 | May 2003–? |
| Marwick Khumalo | February 2004 | March 2004 |
| Trusty Gina (acting) | 11 March 2004 | 12 May 2004 |
| Charles Magongo | 12 May 2004 | 2006 |
| Trusty Gina (acting) | 26 October 2006 | 3 November 2006 |
| Prince Guduza Dlamini | 7 December 2006 | June 2013 |
| Themba Msibi | June 2013 | October 2018 |
| Petros Mavimbela | October 2018 | Incumbent |