Swaziland is a small part of south-east Africa, the last country in the continent to gain its independence.

In this quote, Richard Grant refers to Swaziland, a small country located in south-east Africa, which was the last African nation to achieve independence. The statement highlights Swaziland's relatively late entry into the group of African nations that gained independence from colonial powers in the mid-20th century. By calling it "the last country in the continent to gain its independence," Grant emphasizes the country's position in the context of the broader wave of decolonization that swept through Africa in the 1950s and 1960s.

Swaziland’s independence came in 1968, making it the final African country to break free from colonial rule, specifically from the United Kingdom. The nation’s relatively late independence, compared to other African nations that gained their freedom after World War II, marks it as a unique example in the history of African decolonization. This delayed independence was due to a variety of factors, including the nature of the British colonial presence in Swaziland and the local political dynamics at the time.

The origin of this quote is tied to Grant’s exploration of African history and his broader examination of the continent’s political landscape. As an observer of African politics, Grant’s reference to Swaziland’s late independence serves to highlight the diverse timelines of colonial withdrawal across Africa. His statement also underscores the complexity of each nation’s path to independence, which was influenced by different colonial histories, political pressures, and regional contexts.

In essence, Grant’s quote provides a historical context for Swaziland’s relatively late independence in the broader decolonization process in Africa. By noting its position as the last country to gain freedom, he draws attention to the diverse experiences of African nations as they navigated their paths to sovereignty, illustrating the uneven pace of colonial withdrawal across the continent.