GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
The Kingdom of Swaziland is a small landlocked country which covers just over 17,000 square kilometres and is about the same size as Wales. It is arguably the smallest country in the Southern hemisphere, situated between the Republic of South Africa and Mozambique at a latitude of 31 degrees, 30 minutes east of Greenwich and a longitude of 26 degrees, 30 minutes south of the equator. Often referred to as the Switzerland of Africa, Swaziland comprises magnificent mountain scenery with unique, ancient rock formations, which are a source of fascination for geologists, scholars, and visitors. Within the small area each feature of Africa’s terrain, apart from desert, is to be found. The Kingdom comprises four topographical and climatic areas varying from 400 to 1800 metres above sea level, each with its own unique characteristics. The mountainous Highveld to the west features rivers, waterfalls and gorges and has a temperate climate of warm, wet summers and dry winters when the temperature can rise sharply during the day but with cold nights. Winter snowfalls occasionally occur on the higher ground. This area is generally not suitable for agriculture although much of it is given over to forestry. The subtropical Middleveld, at a lower altitude, is made up of lush, fertile valleys and has a warm climate that is ideal for cultivating a diversity of crops and it is here that much of the country’s agricultural activities occur. Further to the east is the Lowveld which is the largest region covering about 40% of the country, and also subtropical. While this area is drought-prone, sugar is successfully grown commercially on a wide scale under irrigation. Cattle farming is also extensively carried out here. Much of the area is typical African bush where a wonderful profusion of indigenous wild life, birds and flora may be found in protected areas. The smallest region is Lubombo, which borders with Mozambique. This subtropical area is typified by mountainous scenery and supports abundant plant and animal life. Mixed farming is the main activity here. The nearest harbour is at Maputo in Mozambique, which is about 235 kilometres from Mbabane, the administrative capital, and 200 kilometres from Matsapha, the country’s main industrial area. It is from here that most of the country’s export products are shipped.
THE PEOPLE AND TRADITIONS
During the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, an African people of Nguni descent migrated southward from Central Africa and during the mid-eighteenth century, a group of them settled in the area which today is Swaziland. These people, the Nkosi Dlamini, became known as the Swazis, and today both names continue to be used. Nkosi means ‘king’ and Dlamini is the surname of the royal family. The country derives its name from a later king, Mswati I but another name, Ngwane, is an alternative word for Swaziland. The Swazis are a proud but peaceful people with happy, easy-going and often humorous personalities which have earned them the title Latins of Africa. Old Swazi traditions are carefully guarded and colourful ceremonies regularly take place to mark special occasions. The two main rituals are the Umhlanga or reed dance, and the Incwala, or first fruits ceremony. The Umhlanga, which is held during August or September, involves unmarried maidens who, dressed in colourful beaded skirts and accessories, travel to the royal kraal (village) to honour the Queen Mother and perform traditional dances. On the way, they gather the reeds which are used to make screens around the royal kraal and it is from this custom that the ceremony derives its name. The Incwala ceremony involves direct participation by the King and much of it entails ancient secret rituals. It takes place over a three-week period during December and January with dates selected by astrologers who monitor the moon phases to determine the ideal time. The ritual starts with a journey to Mozambique or South Africa to collect water from the Indian Ocean and after the performance of various rites by young men, leads to the slaughter of a bull on the third and darkest night, before the new moon. On the fourth day the King appears in full ceremonial dress and after taking part in various rituals and dances with his warriors, he eats the first fruits of the season. The Queen Mother then participates and the Incwala ends with a ritual cleansing on the sixth day after the new moon. Although western dress is widely worn, particularly in the more urban areas, the Swazis have a distinctive, colourful national dress known as emahiya and this is worn with different accessories and head dresses, depending on the status and age of the individual, as well as on the occasion. Traditionally, Swaziland is a polygamous society and the men may take more than one wife. It is customary to pay a dowry, known as lobola, which normally entails presenting cattle - the cultural symbol of wealth - to the brides’ parents. However, monogamous marriages, performed in the western custom, frequently take place as the Swazi people adapt to and adopt aspects of the western lifestyle. However, the cultural heritage is deeply rooted with traditions carefully protected and sustained.
POPULATION
Despite an estimated reduction in prevalence by 3.4% to 39.2% of the population, the severity of the HIV/AIDS pandemic continues to impact negatively on the population, both in terms of structure and numbers. It is estimated that the population stands at less than a million people compared with earlier estimates of 1,126,000. Reduced life expectancy and a decline in the birth rate continue to be the trend and revised data now indicates a fall in life expectancy by 17 years to 37 years in 2005 since young adults are the main victims of the pandemic. It is projected that by 2015, life expectancy will further decline to 32.5 years. About 65% of HIV positive people are living below the poverty line. HIV in pregnant women is about 43%. While this figure comprises antenatal clinic responses, it does appear to reflect the overall percentage of infection. Economically active people aged between 20 and 39 years comprise about 47% of reported HIV/AIDS cases and the virus is also prevalent in the 15 to 24 age group. The country has about 150,000 vulnerable children, of which some 80,000 are AIDS orphans. It is estimated that there will be 120,000 such orphans by 2010. In line with this trend, in excess of 15% of households are headed by children aged below 18 years. Sustained efforts are made to educate people in order to create greater awareness and to stem the disease. The main players in this respect are specific NGOs, particularly NERCHA, large corporate entities and the private sector. The pandemic naturally has a devastating effect on the economy and social services. Southern Africa is home to 30% of the people who are infected with HIV/AIDS globally and yet the region comprises less than 2% of the world’s population. About 77% of the Swazi people live in rural areas with 23% residing in the towns and cities. The Manzini and Hhohho regions are the most highly populated at 30.8% and 27.5% respectively. Shilsewini and Lubombo are the least populous regions at 20.9% and 20.4%.
THE MONARCHY
Swaziland has been a monarchy since the Nguni people entered the territory, where they lived under the leadership of Dlamini I. Although Dlamini is the surname of theroyal family, it is important to note that not all Dlaminis are of royal blood. The country and people derive their name from a later king, Mswati I, who reigned during the mid- 19th century. It has been said that the dual Swazi monarchy is arguably the only ruling one in Africa, although Morocco and Lesotho also have kings. The Swazi King or Ngwenyama (lion) rules in conjunction with the Queen Mother or Ndlovukazi (sheelephant). She may either be the King’s biological mother, which is presently the case or, on her death, a senior wife. Strict stipulations apply in terms of who succeeds to the throne and while many of these are closely guarded secrets it is generally known that the king must be the only child of his mother and unmarried. Thus the Swazi kings are always young men when they come to the throne. The King is regarded as the mouth-piece of his people and is described as umlomo longacali manga (the mouth that tells no lies). The present monarch, King Mswati III ascended the throne in 1986 at the age of 18, succeeding his father King Sobhuza II, a much respected and loved man who was also the world’s longest reigning monarch, ruling from 1921 until 1982. The monarchy has endured throughout Swaziland’s history, often in adverse situations. During the second half of the nineteenth century foreign settlers acquired valuable land for agricultural and commercial use. King Sobhuza II was instrumental in re-acquiring much of this land for the people and today this is known as Swazi Nation Land. Swaziland became a protectorate in 1903, when British colonial rule was established, and retained this status until she became a self-governing state in 1967 when Sobhuza II, previously regarded as a paramount chief, received international recognition as a king and the country acquired her own flag. In 1968 independence was celebrated since when, the monarchy has retained its strong position.
While Swaziland maintains strong economic and trading links with South Africa, the country is an independent state with a fully autonomous government that falls under the Monarch who is Head of State. Close ties are also maintained with the other nearby states of Botswana, Lesotho and Namibia, as well as elsewhere in the region. Swaziland’s Westminster based constitution was revoked in 1973 and replaced with a system designed to facilitate both western and traditional styles of government. This structure incorporates the system known as Tinkhundla and enables the people to elect candidates to be their parliamentary representatives for specific constituencies. However, it does not allow for different political parties. It is felt in some quarters that the system