Moshoeshoe II of Lesotho
Encyclopedia
Moshoeshoe II previously known as Constantine Bereng Seeiso, was the paramount chief of Lesotho
, succeeding paramount chief Seeiso
from 1960 until the country gained full independence from Britain in 1966. He was king of Lesotho from 1966 until his death in 1996.
and later to Corpus Christi College, Oxford
. While there, he took to the life of an English country gentleman, including hunting, shooting, and fishing.
became Prime Minister
of Lesotho and gained control of the government. Jonathan deposed Moshoeshoe in 1970 in order to reestablish his control in the country after his party lost the election. Moshoeshoe went into temporary exile in the Netherlands
. A few months later, when he gained control, Jonathan allowed Moshoeshoe to reassume the title of king. Jonathan was deposed in 1986 and the king gained some power, but he was deposed in 1990, while his son Letsie III was forced to take his place as king. Moshoeshoe went to exile in the United Kingdom
. Moshoeshoe was able to become king again in 1995. The following year he was killed in a car accident, and Letsie became king again a month later. During the political turmoil of 1970 and 1990, and for a month after his death in 1996, his wife and Letsie's mother, 'Mamohato
, acted as regent.
Summary of reign
through the Maluti Mountains when his car left the road.
) in 1962, and with her had two sons and one daughter:
Lesotho
Lesotho , officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a landlocked country and enclave, surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. It is just over in size with a population of approximately 2,067,000. Its capital and largest city is Maseru. Lesotho is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The name...
, succeeding paramount chief Seeiso
Seeiso of Basutoland
Seeiso, full name Simon Seeiso Griffith was the paramount chief of Basutoland from July 1939 until his death. He is the father of former king Moshoeshoe II of Lesotho and the grandfather of the current king, Letsie III of Lesotho....
from 1960 until the country gained full independence from Britain in 1966. He was king of Lesotho from 1966 until his death in 1996.
Early life
The young Seeiso was educated at the Roma College in Lesotho, then (apparently fleeing rumours that his stepfather planned to poison him) was sent to England, first to Ampleforth CollegeAmpleforth College
Ampleforth College in North Yorkshire, England, is the largest Roman Catholic co-educational boarding independent school in the United Kingdom. It opened in 1802, as a boys' school, and is run by the Benedictine monks and lay staff of Ampleforth Abbey...
and later to Corpus Christi College, Oxford
Corpus Christi College, Oxford
Corpus Christi College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom...
. While there, he took to the life of an English country gentleman, including hunting, shooting, and fishing.
Reign
Moshoeshoe's political power was always limited, and his reign was interrupted twice. Early in his reign, Leabua JonathanLeabua Jonathan
Joseph Leabua Jonathan was the second Prime Minister of Lesotho. He succeeded Chief Sekhonyana Nehemia Maseribane following a by-election and held that post from 1965 to 1986.-Early life and career:...
became Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
of Lesotho and gained control of the government. Jonathan deposed Moshoeshoe in 1970 in order to reestablish his control in the country after his party lost the election. Moshoeshoe went into temporary exile in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. A few months later, when he gained control, Jonathan allowed Moshoeshoe to reassume the title of king. Jonathan was deposed in 1986 and the king gained some power, but he was deposed in 1990, while his son Letsie III was forced to take his place as king. Moshoeshoe went to exile in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Moshoeshoe was able to become king again in 1995. The following year he was killed in a car accident, and Letsie became king again a month later. During the political turmoil of 1970 and 1990, and for a month after his death in 1996, his wife and Letsie's mother, 'Mamohato
'MaMohato of Lesotho
Queen 'Mamohato Bereng Seeiso served as the Regent Head of State of Lesotho on three occasions:*From 5 June to 5 December 1970*From 10 March to 12 November 1990...
, acted as regent.
Summary of reign
- 1960-1966: Paramount Chief Constantine Bereng Seeiso of Basutoland
- 1966: crowned as King Moshoeshoe II of Lesotho
- 1970: exiled from Lesotho
- February 1990: stripped of constitutional powers
- November 1990: deposed, and his son Letsie III becomes king
- 1990-1992: in exile in the UK
- January 1995: reinstated as King
- January 1996: died, succeeded by Letsie III
Death
The King died at the age of fifty-seven in a road accident, when his car plunged off a mountain road during the early hours of 15 January 1996. The accident also killed his driver. According to a government statement, Moshoeshoe had set out at 1 a.m. to visit his cattle at Matsieng and was returning to MaseruMaseru
Maseru is the capital of Lesotho. It is also the capital of the Maseru District. Located on the Caledon River, bordering South Africa, Maseru is Lesotho's only sizable city, with a population of approximately 227,880 . The city was established as a police camp and assigned as the capital after the...
through the Maluti Mountains when his car left the road.
Family
Moshoeshoe married Princess Tabitha Masentle Lerotholi Mojelain (later known as Queen 'Mamohato of Lesotho'MaMohato of Lesotho
Queen 'Mamohato Bereng Seeiso served as the Regent Head of State of Lesotho on three occasions:*From 5 June to 5 December 1970*From 10 March to 12 November 1990...
) in 1962, and with her had two sons and one daughter:
- His Royal Highness Prince David Mohato Bereng SeeisoLetsie III of LesothoLetsie III is the reigning king of Lesotho. He succeeded his father, Moshoeshoe II, when the latter was forced into exile in 1990. His father was briefly restored in 1995 but soon died in a car crash in early 1996, and Letsie became king again...
(born 17 July 1963)
- His Royal Highness Prince Seeiso Bereng Seeiso of LesothoPrince Seeiso of LesothoPrince Seeiso Bereng Seeiso of Lesotho is the younger brother of Lesotho's king, Letsie III, and son of the southern African country's late King Moshoeshoe II and the late Queen 'Mamohato Bereng Seeiso...
(born 16 April 1966)
- Her Royal Highness Princess Constance Christina Maseeiso (24 December 1969 – 7 September 1994)