Swaziland has always maintained
strong economic and trading links
with South Africa. However, 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was revoked in 1973 and replaced with a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 many quarters that the system
should be reviewed to create a more
democratic climate and in 1992 the first
review commission took place to seek public
opinion on how the Tinkhundla should be
revised.
In 1993 the first fully democratic
elections since the repeal of the Westminster
Constitution took place, with regular
elections held since then.
Power is vested in the King who appoints
the Prime Minister and consults with the
Cabinet, which is headed by the Prime
Minister and the bicameral parliament.
These aspects comprise the western style of
government.
The Upper House (Senate) comprises 30
Senators, 20 of whom are appointed by the
King with 10 elected from members of the
public by the Lower House. The Upper
House also includes the President of the
senate and his Deputy. The Lower House
(House of Assembly) is made up of the
Speaker, Deputy Speaker and 53 other
members.
The Swazi National Council, known in the
vernacular as Libandla, is the traditional side
of government and is headed by the King
and Queen Mother in accordance with the dual monarchy approach. The Queen
Mother’s primary role is to uphold the
traditional and cultural elements. All Swazi
adult males are entitled to offer advice and
council on matters pertaining to traditional
law and custom.
Swaziland’s legal system also operates on
a dual basis and embraces both traditional
Swazi National courts as well as
constitutional courts. The latter observe
Roman-Dutch law and comprise a High
Court with various Magistrates Courts as
well as an Industrial Court.
They are headed
by a Chief Justice under whom fall judges
and magistrates. It is important to note that
the constitutional courts have the final ruling
in the event of any contention arising
between the two legal systems.
GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE
The Government of Swaziland,
headed by the Prime Minister,
consists of cabinet ministries under
who, in turn, fall various departments.
Swaziland Investment Promotion
Authority
PUBLIC ENTERPRISES Public Enterprises, which are also
known as Parastatals, fall under the
Public Enterprise Unit in the Ministry
of Finance. The PEU was formed under the
Act of 1989, which provides for the
monitoring of performance with technical
and advisory back up. Public Enterprises
account for about 5% of formal sector
employment and are a major component
of the national infrastructure. All PE’s must
report to the PEU on a quarterly basis.
Several PEU organisations have undergone
restructuring processes and other changes
in an effort to optimise performance and
efficiency, reducing dependence on
government resources. A numbers of
Government Departments, such as the
Environmental Authority have been
converted into public enterprises and
privatisation is the ultimate goal.
The Public Enterprise Loan Guarantee
Scheme funds are managed by a
commercial bank. The main PEs are:
Cabinet Office - P.O. Box 395 Mbabane.
Phone 404-2251, Fax 404-3943.
E-mail: hlopen@gov.sz
Prime Minister Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini
POLICE: Headquarters, P.O. Box 49 Mbabane.
Phone 404-2051.
Deputy Prime Minister’s Office - P.O. Box A33
Swazi Plaza.
Phone 404-2723, Fax 404-4085.
Deputy Prime Minister Themba Msuku
Agriculture & Cooperatives - P.O. Box 162,
Mbabane. Phone 404-2731, Fax 404-4700.
E-mail: codec@realnet.co.sz
Veterinary Department: Phone 404-2731
Malkerns Research Station: Phone 528-3017
Rural Development Areas Centre: Phone 442-4014
Cooperative Development Centre: Phone 416-1086
Commerce, Industry and Trade*
P.O. Box 451, Mbabane. Phone 404-3201,
Fax 404-4711. E-mail: mee@realnet.co.sz
Department of Labour
Phone 404-1306
Swaziland Investment Promotion Authority:
Phone 404-0470, Fax 404-3374
E-mail: info@sipa.org.sz
Economic Planning & Development
P.O. Box 602 Mbabane. Phone 404-3765,
Fax 404-2157.
E-mail: psmepd@africaonline.co.sz
Statistics Section: Phone 404-2151
Regional Training Council: Phone 404-6407.
Education and Training
P.O. Box 39 Mbabane. Phone 404-2491,
Fax 404-3880.
Educational Testing & Guidance, Psychological
Services: Phone 404-4542
National Examinations Council: Phone 404-3763
National Curriculum Centre: Phone 505-2106
Finance
P.O. Box 443, Mbabane. Phone 404-8146,
Fax 404-3187.
E-mail: minfin@realnet.co.sz
Public Enterprise Unit: Phone 404-8145
Administration: Phone 404-2143
Budget Section: Phone 404-8149
Finance & Capital Markets: Phone 404-8147
Audit Department: Phone 404-2796
Customs & Excise: Phone 404-5370
Income Tax: Phone 404-2751
Treasury: Phone 404-2041
Foreign Affairs
P.O. Box 518 Mbabane. Phone 404-2661,
Fax 404-2669.
E-mail: ps_foreign@realnet.co.sz
Trade Promotion Unit: Phone 404-5180
Health
P.O. Box 5 Mbabane. Phone 404-2431,
Fax 404-2092.
Health Education Unit: Phone 404-3368
Public Health Unit: Phone 404-3506
AIDS Programme Office: Phone 404-5397
Institute of Health Sciences: Phone 422-2171
Director of Medical Services: Phone 404-6311
Home Affairs
P.O. Box 432, Mbabane. Phone 404-2941,
Fax 404-4303.
Information and Communications
Technology*
Justice
P.O. Box 924 Mbabane. Phone 404-6010,
Fax 404-3531.
Attorney General’s Chambers: P.O. Box 578
Mbabane. Phone 404-2807.
Director of Public Prosecutions: P.O. Box 1055,
Mbabane. Phone 404-2809.
Correctional Services: Headquarters, P.O. Box 166
Mbabane. Phone 404-2476.
Registrar General’s Office: P.O. Box 460 Mbabane.
Phone 404-3041.
Labour and Social Security*
Local Government and Housing
P.O. Box 1832 Mbabane. Phone 404-6035,
Fax 404-4085.
Minister - Mrs. Dumsile Sukati
Fire & Emergency Services: P.O. Box 773 Mbabane.
Phone 404-3335
Natural Resources and Energy
P.O. Box 57 Mbabane. Phone 404-6244,
Fax 404-2436.
E-mail: mnre@realnet.co.sz
Geological Survey & Mines: P.O. Box 57, Mbabane.
Phone 404-2411.
Rural Water Supply: P.O. Box 961 Mbabane.
Phone 404-1231
Public Service
P.O. Box 338, Mbabane.
Phone 404-2761/9, Fax 404-2774.
Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs
Phone 404-1349, Fax 404-1333
e-mail motsacm@gov.sz
Tourism and Environmental Affairs
P.O. Box 58 Mbabane. Phone 404-6420,
Fax 404-6438.
E-mail: mintour@realnet.co.sz
Tourism Office: Phone 404-4556.
Public Works and Transport
P.O. Box 58 Mbabane. Phone 404-2321,
Fax 404-2364.
E-mail: mpwt@realnet.co.sz
Civil Aviation: Phone 404-2420
Road Transportation Board: Phone 404-6823
Civil Service Board - P.O. Box 158 Mbabane.
Phone 404-2601.
Parliament
King’s Office - Phone 416-1080
Parliament Offices - Phone 416-1286
Tinkhundla Headquarters
P.O. Box A33 Swazi Plaza, Mbabane
Phone 404-2723, Fax 404-4058.
THE CONSTITUTION
Following the completion of this
document and considerable debate
in Parliament and amendments, the
revised constitution was legally adopted in
2005. However it is felt that the certain
aspects do not adequately address present
day needs and as part of a five-year action
plan, the present Government has
undertaken to review the constitution.
DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS
The Five-Year Action Plan
Early in 2009 the present Government
announced it Five-Year Action Plan
whereby various performance targets
are to be achieved. These particularly relate
to education and health care issues. It was
announced that all Ministers and Principal
Secretaries would sign performance
agreements in an effort to meet these targets.
Business & Economic Advisory Panel
- BEAP
This panel comprises a group of key local
business people, as well as regional and
international specialists. It was introduced
towards the end of 2006 by the Prime
Minister to concentrate on advising the King
and Government on economic and business
matters. The objective is to grow the
economy and improve business confidence,
while upgrading the country’s image.
The Conciliation, Mediation &
Arbitration Commission
CMAC, a tripartite body, was established
in 2001 with the objective of promoting
stable labour relations in the country in order
to achieve positive economic and
employment growth. The mission is to
provide speedy, accessible and fair dispute
resolution and prevention services, while
embracing the values of integrity, honesty,
trustworthiness, impartiality and
professionalism. The representatives include
personnel from organised labour, businesses
and government.
The Millennium Action Plan (MAP)
This program replaced the Economic and
Social Reform Agenda (ESRA) but retains
the same principles. It places emphasis on
the private sector as the vehicle for generating
better economic performance and
Government has pledged to honour its
responsibility of providing a framework
conducive to growth and encouraging new
investment. The key challenges are poverty
reduction, combating HIV/AIDS and
creating employment.
The National Development Strategy
The NDS seeks to alleviate poverty and
create job opportunities in the rural areas.
The Smart Partnership
The Smart Partnership concept, which was
adopted in 2000, is a process that unites
people in growing co-prosperity and is a
forum for creating opportunities and wealth
that are shared among all the partners,
including political leaders and the private
and public sectors at all levels.
The
Central Bank of Swaziland
P.O. Box 546 Mbabane. Phone 408-2000 Fax 404-
5366
E-mail: info@centralbank.org.sz;
www.centralbank.org.sz
SwaziBank
P.O. Box 336 Mbabane. Phone 409-5000,
Fax 404-2550
E-mail: swazibank@swazibank.sz
Website: www.swazibank.co.sz
Swaziland National Provident Fund
P.O. Box 1857 Manzini. Phone 505-3731,
Fax 505-4377.
E-mail: metetwa@snpf.co.sz
Swaziland Royal Insurance Corporation
P.O. Box 917 Mbabane. Phone 404-3231,
Fax 404-6415.
E-mail: sric@sric.sz
National Agricultural Marketing Board
P.O. Box 1713 Matsapha, Phone 518-5211,
Fax 518-4088.
Statutory Dept. P.O. Box 4261 Manzini,
Phone 505-5114, Fax 505-4072.
Swaziland Dairy Development Board
P.O. Box 2975 Manzini. Phone 505-8262,
Fax 505-8260
E-mail: ceo-swazidairy@africaonline.co.sz
National Maize Corporation
P.O. Box 158 Manzini. Phone 518-7432,
Fax 518-4461.
E-mail: nmc@africaonline.co.sz
Swaziland Investment Promotion Authority
P.O. Box 4194 Mbabane H100. Phone 404-0470,
Fax 404-3374.
E-mail: sipa@business-swaziland.com.
Posts & Telecommunications Corporation
P.O. Box 125, Mbabane. Phone 404-3131,
Fax 404-3130.
E-mail: info@swazi.net
Water Services Corporation
P.O. Box 20 Mbabane. Phone 404-3161,
Fax 404-5355.
E-mail: headoffice@swsc.co.sz
Swaziland Environmental Authority
P.O. Box 2602, Mbabane H100.
E-mail sea@realnet.co.sz; seabiodiv@realnet.co.sz
Swaziland Railway
P.O. Box 475 Mbabane. Phone 404-7211,
Fax 404-7210.
E-mail: info@swazirail.co.sz; www.swazirail.co.sz
Swaziland Standards Authority
P.O. Box 300, Eveni. Phone 404-7770,
Fax 404-7805
E-mail: info@swasa.co.sz; www.swasa.co.sz
Swaziland Tourism Authority
P.O. Box A1030, Swazi Plaza. Phone 404-9693,
Fax 404-9683.
E-mail: info@tourismauthority.co.org.sz;
www.welcometoswaziland.com
The Cotton Board
P.O. Box 230 Manzini. Phone/Fax 505-2775.
sbyb 2009 text 1-42.p65 13 12/10/2008, 8:42 PM
Orion Piggs Peak Hotel
P.O. Box 385 Piggs Peak. Phone 437-1162,
Fax 437-1382.
E-mail: gmpiggspeak@orion-hotels.co.sz;
www.oriongorup.co.za
Swaziland Television Authority
P.O. Box A146 Swazi Plaza. Phone 404-3036,
Fax 404-2093.
Fincorp
P.O. Box 6099 Mbabane. Phone 404-9272,
Fax 404-9273.
E-mail: sdfc@fincorp.co.sz; www.fincorp.co.sz
Swaziland National Housing Board
P.O. Box 798 Mbabane. Phone 404-5610,
Fax 404-5224.
E-mail: postbox@snhb.co.sz
Swaziland National Trust Commission
P.O. Box 100 Lobamba. Phone 416-1151,
Fax 416-1875.
E-mail: mantenga@sntc.org.sz; www.sntc.org.sz
Swaziland Industrial Development
Company
P.O. Box 866 Mbabane. Phone 404-3391,
Fax 404-5619.
E-mail: sidc_it@africaonline.co.sz; www.sidc.co.sz
Small Enterprises Development Company
P.O. Box A186 Swazi Plaza. Phone 404-2811,
Fax 404-0723.
E-mail: business@sedco.co.sz; www.sedco.co.sz
University of Swaziland
Private Bag 4 Kwaluseni. Phone 518-5315,
Fax 518-5276.
SEBENTA (Adult Literacy Programme)
P.O. Box 64 Mbabane. Phone 404-2644
E-mail: literacy@realnet.co.sz
NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS
In excess of 100 NGO’s in Swaziland cover a diversity of needs and services. These include education for special needs and skills training, youth, health and welfare, women’s issues, income generation, agricultural development and training, social welfare, the environment, human rights, religious issues, and animal welfare. In an effort to provide information, training and support services, several NGOs have been established specifically to deal with HIV/ AIDS and related issues.
The central contact for all NGOs in Swaziland
is: The Coordinating Assembly of NGOs,
P.O. Box A67 Swazi Plaza.
Phone 404-4721. Fax 404-5532
E-mail:cango@africaonline.co.sz;
www.cango.org.sz
PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS
Most professional services are available in the country and membership of relevant associations ensure that internationally recognised codes of practice and ethics are adhered to. These associations include: (Please note that the following information is subject to change).
Swaziland Institute of Accountants
P.O. Box 2653, Mbabane.
Phone 404-5566, Fax 404-6827.
E-mail: sia@realnet.co.sz
Swaziland Association of Architects,
Engineers & Surveyors
P.O. Box A387, Swazi Plaza.
Phone 404-2227
The Building Contractors Association
P.O. Box 518, Mbabane.
Phone 404-0071, Fax 404-4258.
E-mail: soconswad@realnet.co.sz
Sibakho Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 2016, Manzini.
Phone/Fax 505-4409.
Federation of Swaziland Employers &
Chamber of Industry
P.O. Box 72 Mbabane.
Phone 404-0768, Fax 404-0051
E-mail: fsecc@business-swazi.com
Hotel & Tourism Association
P.O. Box 462, Mbabane.
Phone 404-2218, Fax 404-4516.
E-mail: aliand@realnet.co.sz
Insurance Brokers Association
P.O. Box A32, Swazi Plaza.
Phone 404-2929, fax 404-5254.
E-mail: aon_sib@son.co.sz
Swaziland Law Society
P.O. Box 512, Mbabane.
Phone 404-1915, Fax 404-2179.
Medical & Dental Council
c/o Ministry of Health
P.O. Box 5, Mbabane.
Phone 404-2431, Fax 404-2092.
Institute of Personnel & Training Managers
c/o UNISWA,
Private Bag, Kwaluseni.