'Mantšebo
Regent of Basutoland / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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'Mantšebo (in full: 'Mantšebo Amelia 'Matšaba; 1902–1964) was the ruler of Basutoland (present-day Lesotho) from 1941 to 1960, as the regent for her stepson, the future Moshoeshoe II.
'Mantšebo | |
---|---|
Regent of Basutoland | |
Reign | 28 January 1941 – 12 March 1960 |
Predecessor | Gabasheane Masupha (as regent) |
Successor | Moshoeshoe II |
Born | 1902 |
Died | 1964 |
Spouse | Seeiso |
House | House of Moshoeshoe |
Religion | Roman Catholicism |
'Mantšebo was the first of the three wives of Seeiso, who was paramount chief from 1939 to 1940. She was elected regent a month after his death, becoming the only female ruler during Lesotho's colonial period. Her early years in power were marked by disputes over both the legitimacy of her rule and her guardianship of her stepson (Seeiso's heir). However, 'Mantšebo retained the regency for over 19 years, and laid the foundations for Lesotho's current constitutional monarchy.