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The smallest country in Africa is also one of the most easy going-laid-back Swazis are more likely to celebrate for fun than demonstrate for reform. A progressive and hands-on attitude towards wildlife preservation has endowed it with a striking bunch of national parks.
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Full Name:
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Kingdom of Swaziland
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Capital City:
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Mbabane (official); Lobamba (royal and legislative)
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Area:
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17,363 sq km
6,704 sq miles
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Population:
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1,100,000
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Time Zone:
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GMT/UTC + 2 ()
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Languages:
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Swati (official)
English (official)
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Religion:
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Christian (60%), indigenous beliefs (40%)
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Currency:
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Lilangeni (E)
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Electricity:
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230V 50HzHz
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Electric Plug Details:
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South African/Indian-style plug with two circular metal pins above a large circular grounding pin
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Country Dialing Code:
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268
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When To Go:
The best time to visit is between May and June or in October, especially if you want to avoid those days when you could fry eggs on a tin hat. You'll get cooler temperatures (downright cold at night) in the eastern lowlands and warmer, drier weather in the highlands. If you want to see the two most important Swazi cultural ceremonies, go in August or September for the Umhlanga (Reed) Dance, or in late December or early January for the Incwala (the 'first fruits') ceremony. But bear in mind that Swaziland is rain-soaked between December and April.
Weather Overview:
With a mild summer and winter, the climate in Swaziland is mostly pleasant all year. Rain is more frequent from October to May, but with plenty of sunshine, low humidity and temperatures around 25°C (77°F), these months are hardly a trial to endure. Winters can get quite cold at night but are relatively dry. Closer to Mozambique in the lowlands, conditions become more tropical.
Modern History
During the 20th century, land ownership grew into an issue threatening the viability of Swazi culture, given that Swazi kings are considered to hold the kingdom in trust for their subjects. With a large proportion of the kingdom in foreign hands, King Labotsibeni encouraged Swazis to buy back the farm, and many emigrated to South Africa to raise money by working in the mines. Land was gradually returned to the kingdom, both by direct purchase and by the British government, and at independence in 1968 around two-thirds of the kingdom was back in Swazi control. Britain's 66-year rule was overturned peacefully, and many streets in Mbabane retain their colonial-era names, perhaps indicative of the good will the colonial administration left behind.
Swaziland inherited a constitution largely the work of the British, and in 1973 King Sobhuza II suspended it on the grounds that it did not reflect Swazi culture. Four years later parliament reconvened under a new constitution that vested all power in the king. Sobhuza was followed in 1986 by King Mswati, who continues to maintain and represent tradition. He runs the country with the Council of Ministers, a small core of advisers.
Opposition parties remain illegal, and in 1995 the National Assembly and the homes of the deputy prime minister and the vice-chancellor of the University of Swaziland were burned in student riots. Following a general strike later that year the king's powers were partially reduced, and in 1997 the heads of Mozambique and South Africa held talks with the king on further democratisation in Swaziland.
Government:
King Mswati III is the sovereign head of the Kingdom of Swaziland. The affairs of the country are administered by the Prime Minister and Cabinet through a Parliament of elected members.
Public holidays:
1 January - New Year's Day
19 April - King's Birthday
25 April - National Flag Day
1 May - Workers Day
17 May - Ascension day
22 July - Public Holiday
August - Umhlanga Reed Dance Day (depending on the position of the moon)
6 September - Independence/ Somhlolo Day
25 December - Christmas Day
26 December - Boxing Day
December / January - Incwala Day (depends on the moon)
Operating Border Hours:
Matsamo /Jeppes Reef - 07h00-20h00
Mananga - 08h00-18h00
Lomahasha /Namaacha - 07h00-20h00
Mhlumeni - 07h00-20h00
Lavumisa /Golela - 07h00-22h00
Mahamba - 07h00-22h00
Gege - 08h00-16h00
Salitje /Onverwacht - 08h00-18h00
Sicunusa - 08h00-18h00
Sandlane /Nerston - 08h00-18h00
Lundzi - 08h00-16h00
Ngwenya /Oshoek - 07h00-22h00
Bulembu /Josefsdal - 08h00-16h00
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