About Swaziland
QUICK FACTS
- Land area: small 17,373 km
- Population: 1.1 Million
- Languages: SiSwati and English
- Currencies: Swazi Emalangeni SZL and South African Rand ZAR (currencies on par 1:1)
- Credit cards: Most hotels and restaurants accept Visa and MasterCard
- Business weekdays: Weekdays 08:00 to 17:00 and Saturdays 08:00 to 13:00
- Time: GMT+2 (Harare, Pretoria)
- Electricity: 220/240 volt AC
- Government: Monarchy with democratically elected Senate and Assembly.
- Regions: Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni.
- Capital City: Mbabane
- Major Towns: Manzini, Nhlangano, Big Bend, Siteki, Mhlume, Pigg’s Peak, Simunye,
- Airport: Matsapha International Airport (Skhupe under construction)
- Airline: Swaziland Airlink
- Road travel: SiyeSwatini TransMagnific
- Driving: Traffic drives on the left hand side of the road. Foreign drivers licences are valid provided they display a photo of the driver
- Crime: Swaziland is blessed with a low crime rate and tourists are generally safe in any part of the country, though basic precaution is advised
GEOGRAPHY
Swaziland is a small kingdom situated on the east of the southern tip of Africa. The kindgom is completely landlocked by two countires, South Africa and Mozambique. Swaziland is a small country of 17 373 square kilometres in area.
Local Time
Swaziland is at GMT +2 hours, same as Pretoria (South Africa) and Harare (Zimbabwe).
- United Kingdom - 1 hour behind Swaziland time;
- United States (Eastern) - 7 hours behind
- Pacific - 10 hours behind.
- Hong Kong - 6 hours ahead
- Australia (Sydney) - 7.5 hours ahead.
Weather and Altitude
Swaziland has many beautiful mountains and valleys and has an altitude of over1800m above sea level. Along the western highlands Swaziland has a temperate climate along the western highlands and in the eastern and southern lowveld areas Swaziland is generally hot. Swaziland lies in a summer rainfall region.
Seasons
- Spring: September – November
- Summer: December – February
- Autumn: March – May
- Winter: June – August
Access
Border Posts
To enter the kingdom you are reuired to present yourself and your passport to immigration officials either at the airport or at one of the many border gates around the country. The immigration process requires that the officials at your country of departure(South Africa or Mozambique) process your departure. Then the immigration officials on the Swazi side of the bordergate provcess you arrival. Unfortunately access to Swaziland is not avialble 24 hours as yet, though the implenetaion of such is in progress. Currently the lates you may enter the kingdom is 22h00, everyday. The names of the border gates and operating hours are as follows:
| Gate Names | Operating hours |
| Bulembu/Josefsdal | 08:00 to 16:00 |
| Gege/Bothashoop | 08:00 to 16:00 |
| Lavumisa/Golela | 07:00 to 22:00 |
| Lomahasha/Namachaa | 07:00 to 22:00 |
| Lundzi/Waverley | 08:00 to 16:00 |
| Mahamba | 07:00 to 22:00 |
| Mananga/Bordergate | 08:00 to 18:00 |
| Matsamo/Jeppe’s Reef | 08:00 to 20:00 |
| Mhlumeni | 07:00 to 20:00 |
| Ngwenya/Oshoek | 07:00 to 22:00 |
| Salitje/Onverwacht | 08:00 to 18:00 |
| Sandlane/Nerston | 08:00 to 18:00 |
| Sicunusa/Houdkop | 08:00 to 18:00 |
Visa Entry Requirements
A valid passport is required from everyone who enters the Kingdom of Swaziland. A visa is required for persons with passports from the following countries:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, America Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Antarctica, Argentina, Armenia,
Aruba, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belorussia, Benin, Bermuda, Brazil, Burlgaria, Burkina,
Faso,Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote D’Ivore, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Domonican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethopia, Fiji, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Gabon, Georgia, Greenland, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Honduras, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Iribat, Kuwait, Krygyzstan, Laisser, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Macao, Macedonia, Madagascar, Mali, Marshall Islands, Martinque, Mauritania, Micronesia, Maldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Neepal, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Phillipiness, Pitcairn, Poland, Republic of Korea, Reunion, Rwanda, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Sao Tome and principe, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Togo, Turkemenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Virgin Islands, Western Sahara, Yemen, Yuguslavia
Transport Services
Swaziland is accessible only via road and air. SiyeSwatini TransMagnific provides daily scheduled road transport to Swaziland, one of the specific departure points is the Johannesburg International airport. This is approximately a 4 hour drive, with beautiful scenery through the South African Cultural heartland.
Swaziland Airlink is the only airline providing aeroplane transport to Swaziland. The Swaziland International airport is based at the centre of the country in Matsapha and only has flights to the Johannesburg international airport. The flight is an hour and requires two hours check-in. Bookings are available through South African Airways.
Unscheduled local buses, taxis and minibus taxis operate throughout the country. And various car hire service providers are available should you wish to self drive.
Traffic and Road Information
Swaziland has an extensive network of good quality tarred roads and adequate gravel roads. All roads connecting major towns and main bordergates are tarred. Traffic drives on the left hand side of the road. Foreign drivers licences are valid provided they display a photo of the driver.
The general speed limit on Swaziland highways is 120km/h and on smaller sinlge lane tarred raods the limit is generally is 80km/h. Wiythin the urban and residential areas the limit reduces to 60km/h in urban.
Motorists are advised to keep their driver’s licenses upon them whenever driving a vehicle, seat belts should be worn at all times and there are fines for usage of a mobile telephone whilst driving, a hands free kit is recommended. Drive safefly and obey all the rules of the road. Beware of speed traps that may be randomly encountered on any tarred road within the country. Please do not drink and drive while in Swaziland; the drink/drive laws are very strict and likhood of areesting is high for driving under the influence of alcohol. Drivers in possession of a foreign drivers liscence are often required to pay a fine immediately. The fine is in most cases E60 per offence.
Police escorts lead official motorcades and the law requires that all vehicles pull over to the side of the road and stop when an official motorcade approaches.
HISTORY
At the turn of the 20th century, southern Africa was in a state of war as the South African War of 1899-1902 swept across the region. Swaziland could not escape the consequences of this period of conflict and in 1902, when the British and Boers signed the peace treaty ending the war, Swaziland was arbitrarily ceded to the British and declared a British Protectorate. King Sobhuza I, who is regarded as the founder of pre-colonial Swaziland is widely regarded as the architect of the Nation. He dedicated his time in consolidating and strengthening the monarchy and the nation at a time when the region was under constant threat from both Zulu and colonial expansion.
Swaziland was granted independence in 1968. Swaziland is an independent monarchy located in Southern Africa. It has always been a land of kings, rich in traditions and heritage. The current head of state is King Mswati 111. In Swaziland, “Dlamini” is the surname of the royal family, and the most common surname amongst Swazi nationals. The royal line of Dlamini dates back to about 1550 when the people lived in the vicinity of Delogoa Bay. The kingdom was ruled by a provisional government comprising of the Boer’s, British and Swazi until 1894 when Swaziland became a British protectorate and later gained independence in the year 1968. King Mswati 111 was installed as king at the tender age of eighteen.
The Swazi nation actively maintains a noteworthy culture marked by colourful happy ceremonies. These ceremonies include individual, family and national ceremonies. Some must see include, amongst others, Sibhaca dancing, swazi weddings, Umhlanga (reed dance), and Incwala.
The Umhlanga or Reed Dance
Umhlanga is an annual national ceremony at which thousands of young Swazi maidens from all corners of the kingdom gather to pay homage to the Queen mother and the monarchy. The ceremony takes place at either the end of August or the beginning of September, depending on the moon. The girls cut reeds and travel to Queen Mother’s homestead of Ludzidzini and conclude the ceremony with dance before the royal household in expression of national unity dressed in traditional Swazi attire carrying reeds brought to the Queen Mother.
The Incwala Ceremony
The Incwala ceremony is otherwise known as the ceremony of first fruits ceremony or kingship ceremony. This takes place in late December or early January, depending on the sun and the moon and lasts about a week. On the full moon nearest to the summer solstice, regiments of traditional warriors accompany thousands of young men to cut sacred Lusekwane shrubs, a species of acacia used in the ritual of kingship. On the third day a bull is ritually slaughtered by the young warriors as a sign of solidarity among them and a spirit of valour. The fourth day is the main day of the ceremony, when the king clad in full ceremonial dress, joins his warriors in traditional dance. The king then enters a sacred sanctuary for further rituals and eats the first fruits of the season. Upon appearance he then gives his blessing from the ancestors to the nation to eat the fruit. A permit to take photos during the ceremony is required.
Public Holidays
| Date | Holiday |
| 1 January | New Year’s day |
| March/April | Easter Friday & Monday (as advised) |
| 19 April | King’s Birthday |
| 25 April | National Flag day |
| April/May | Ascension Day (as advised) |
| 22 July | Public Holiday |
| Aug/Sept | Umhlanga Dance/Reed Dance |
| 6 September | Independence Day |
| 25 December | Christmas Day |
| 26 December | Boxing day |
| Dec/Jan | Incwala day or First Fruit Ceremony |
HEALTH
Malaria
Most of Swaziland is a malaria free areas. However, a small area on the eastern side of the country near the Mozambiquan borders are malaria areas and visitors to this area may take necessary precautions or report to a doctor immediately if not feeling well after visiting the area. Malaria is curable if diagnosed timeously. For further information kindly contact a doctor or a pharmacist.
HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS is prevalent throughout Southern Africa, including Swaziland. The HI Virus is spread through contact of certain bodily fluids with that of an infected person. There is currently no cure for the virus however there are various preventative measures.
Medical Institutions
Pease note that when dialling from outside please include the dialling code +268 followed by the number specified below. The location of the Medical Institution is stated in brackets.
Emergency Tel: 7606 0911
Manzini clinic (Manzini):
- Tel: 505 7430 or 505 74308
- Fax: 505 7439
Mbabane clinic (Mbabane):
- Tel: 404 2423 or 404 2425
- Fax: 404 5895
Siteki Good Shepherd hospital(Siteki):
- Tel: 343 4133
Mkhiwa clinic (Manzini):
- Tel: 505 9299 or 505 9293
- Fax: 505 9729
Mother care clinic (Manzini):
- Tel: 505 8366
Medisun clinic (Ezulwini):
- Tel: 416 2800 or 416 2381
- Fax: 416 1418
Philani clinic (Pty) Ltd:
- Tel : 505 5178 (Manzini)
- Tel : 518 4774 (Matsapha)
- Tel: 207 8492 (Nhlangano)
Mkhaya clinic (Manzini):
- Tel: 505 5110
Medical Insurance
FINANCES
Currency
The unit of currency is the Emalangeni (E1-100cents), which is at par with the South African Rand, which also can be used in the Kingdom of Swaziland. Notes are issued in denominations of E200 (green), E100 (brown), E50 (orange), E20 (maroon) and E10 (blue). There are E5, E2, E1 in gold coins and 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c in silver coins.
Banks
Swaziland has five banks currently operating. There Central Bank which operates as the mother body of all the banks in Swaziland, Swazi bank which is a local bank and then the three commercial banks operating also in other countries which are Standard Bank, Nedbank and FNB. All major international credit cards are assepated and most hotels and major stores. There are ATM that also accept MasterCard and Visa cards (both debit and credit).
Bank hours are as follows:
- Mondays to Fridays: 08h30 – 15h30
- Saturdays: 08h30 – 12h00
- Sundays: Closed all day
Post Offices are open 08h00 – 16h00 Mondays to Fridays and 08h00 – 11h00 on Saturdays.
USEFUL CONTACTS
Information Centres
Swazi Plaza Tourism Information Office
Swazi Plaza, Mbabane
P.O. Box A1030
Swazi Plaza
Phone: +268 404 2531
Fax: +268 404 25 31
Ngwenya Tourism Information Office
Ngwenya Boarder Post
P.O Box A1030
Swazi Plaza
Phone: +268 442 4206
Fax: +268 442 4206
EMBASSIES BASED IN THE KINGDOM OF SWAZILAND
The Federal Republic of Germany
3rd Floor Lilunga House
P.O Box 1507
Mbabane
H100
Phone: +268 404 3174
Fax: +268 404 3174
The South African High Commission
The New Mall, Mbabane
P.O Box 2507
Mbabane
H100
Phone: +268 404 4651
Fax: +268 404 6944
The British High Commission
2nd Floor, Lilunga House
P/B Mbabane
H100
Phone: +268 404 2581
Fax: +268 404 2585
Embassy of the United States of America
7th Floor, Central bank Building
P.O Box 199, Mbabane
H100
Phone: +268 404 6442
Fax: +268 404 5959
The Republic of China
Adjacent to the Central Bank Building
P.O Box 56
Mbabane, H100
Phone: +268 404 2379/ 404 4740/1
The High Commissioner of the Republic of Mozambique
Mountain Inn Area
P.O Box 1212
Mbabane
H100
Phone: +268 404 1296/6
Fax: +268 404 8482