About Swaziland

Geography and Climate

Situated in Southern Africa, the Kingdom of Swaziland is landlocked in the east by Mozambique and on the other borders by South Africa. It has a subtropical climate with summer temperature of 15 degrees to 25 degrees Centigrade and 15 degrees to 19 degrees in winter. The rainfall at higher altitudes varies from 1000 to 1600mm while in the lower areas it is between 500 and 600mm. The country's highest point is Emlembe at 1862m and the lowest at the Usuthu River at 21m. The country has a wide range of habitats and great variations in flora and fauna.

Business hours

From 08H00 to 17H00 each Monday to Friday and on Saturdays from 08B0 to 13H00. Some establishments are open on Sundays as well. There are four commercial banks operating in the country: First National Bank, Nedbank , SwaziBank and Standard bank Swaziland. In addition to the commercial banks there is one development bank, Swaziland Development and Savings Bank. The Central Bank of the Kingdom of Swaziland establishes and implements monetary policy in the Kingdom of Swaziland. Banking hours are normally from 08H00 to 14H00, Monday to Friday but on Wednesdays until 13H00 and 08H00 to 11H00 on Saturdays.

Economy

Sugar, soft drink concentrates, citrus products and wood pulp are the major exports, mainly to South Africa from which the Kingdom of Swaziland receives almost (90 percent) of its imports. Tourism is one of the Kingdom of Swaziland's biggest industries.

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.

The Swazi Flag

The flag is rectangular, and its colors are red, blue and yellow. Each of these colors has a meaning: Red: Stands for the battles of the past. Blue: Stands for peace and stability. Yellow: stands for the resources. The flag also has a picture shield and spear. These two symbols stand for protection of our country from enemies. The shield is black and white to show that black and white people live together peacefully in Swaziland.

Choosing the King

The successor to the throne is chosen in relation to the status of his mother. A Queen Mother is selected because of her high rank, however, the Queen Mother will be chosen by the Royal Council after the King's death, she will be from an unrelated family. The Royal family line, the Dlamini's, never intermarry; the King is always a Dlamini, the Queen Mother is never a Dlamini. The Queen Mother may have only one son, as a king is not to be followed by blood brothers. He is "Nkosi Dlamini" and is expected to unify his position by choosing wives from all sectors of the community. The balance of power lies between the King and the Queen Mother; the "Ngwenyama" represents the hardness as expressed in thunder, the Queen Mother or "Ndlovukazi" (The Elephant) the softness as in water. They assist and advise each other in many activities, each complementing the other. The Royal Council plays a key role in the selection of the successor to the throne. He must be single and if still a minor, the Queen Mother to the late automatically assumes responsibility of Regent until the prince is crowned "Ngwenyama". The present Queen Mother, Queen Ntombi ruled as Queen Regent until King Mswati lll was crowned in April 1986.

Story

During the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, an African people of Nguni descent migrated southward from Central Africa and eventually, during the mid-eighteenth century, a group of them settled in the area which is now Swaziland. These people, the Nkosi Dlamini, became known as the Swazis, and today both names live on. Nkosi means ‘king’ and Dlamini is the surname of the royal family. The country derives its actual name from a later king, Mswati I but another name, Ngwane, is an alternative word for Swaziland.

Activities

Bird Watching

Bird watching can be one of the quieter and more relaxing outdoor activities. However, birders who are keen rarity-seekers will travel long distances to see a new species to add to the list of birds they have personally observed. Early morning is typically the busiest time of the day for birding since many birds are then at their hungriest, searching most actively for food, and thus are easier to find and observe. Success in locating the more interesting species typically requires detailed knowledge of their appearance, sounds, behavior, and most likely habitat, in addition to good measures of stealth and patience.

Game Viewing

Swaziland 's game and nature reserves are highly recommended for Big Five game viewing. Visitors have access to game viewing vehicles, and are free to roam the area on well marked guided or self guided trails.

Hlane Royal National Park

In the vast bushveld expanse of Eastern Swaziland where the hot, still sun of africa beats on the dry but life-giving soils as it has for thousands of years, and the rumbling roars of the lions are heard in the cool dusky evenings, lies Swaziland's largest protected area, Hlane Royal National Park. The park is home to four of the big five; the lion, elephant, rhino and leopard. Other animals include hippo, giraffe, crocodile, blue wildebeest and many more. Game viewing is done on open land rover and vw syncro minibus and self-guide tours are available.

Win a Weekend Away...

Name:

Surname:

Email Address:

How did you hear about us: