Page 29 - Eswatini Telecomm Dty 2024

A13 General Information
ESWATINI'S HISTORY, TRADITIONS AND GEOGRAPHY
A BRIEF HISTORY
Eswatini is an independent monarchy, rich in
traditions and heritage, led by King Mswati III with
parliament and consultation prescribing all laws and
customs.
Eswatini is a Kingdom in Southern Africa, and covers
an area of 17, 363 square kilometres. Originally the
Royal line of Dlamini lived near Delgoa Bay and
Nguni people were recorded as entering Kingdom in
about 1600AD. In 1750 Dlamini III settled his people
in the Lubombo Mountains, along the Pongola River.
Ngwane III set up his headquarters at Dwaleni and
was later laid to rest in the hills surrounding Pongola for windsurfing and sailing and is only 5km from
- known as Embilaneni. Later Sobhuza I, who was
Ngwane III's grandson, colonised the Sotho, Tsongo
and Nguni chiefdoms and moved north, to escape
the Zulu threat, to Hlatikulu and the Ezulwini Valley
and a new Swazi Nation was born, Sobhuza I married
off two of his daughters to the Zulu leader bringing
a period of peace of prosperity to Eswatini with the
defeat of the Zulus led by Dingane at Hlatikulu in
1863.
Mswati I was the son of Sobhuza but was a minor
when his father died. Mswati I himself died with
the Queen Regent reigning until the accession
of Mbandzeni when the kingdom was ruled by a
provincial government of Boer, Britain and Swazi
until 1894 when Eswatini became a protected
dependency of South Africa under King Bhunu. After
the Anglo Boer War in 1902, Eswatini was placed
under British rule until 1968 when the Nation gained
Independence. The Queen Regent reigned unrtil
Sobhuza II came into power at the age of 21 years
and it was he who set about reigning lost land of
the Kingdom. 1978 saw the establishment of the
Parliament of Eswatini with His Majesty retaining
full power in census with his Council of State, his
cabinet, his members of Parliament and his people.
In 1982 King Sobhuza II died leaving the Queen
Regent to reign until 1986 when King Mswati III was
crowned and today rules as executive Head of State.
TRADITIONS AND RITUALS
THE CHOOSING OF THE KING
The Royal Council plays an important part in
choosing the successor to the throne who must
be single and a Dlamini. If he is still a minor then
the Queen Mother to the late King automatically
becomes Queen Regent until the prince is crowned.
THE NCWALA CEREMONY
The King plays an important part in this "First Fruit"
or Ncwala ceremony and it is held in December
or January - the date being chosen carefully by
astrologers. Traditionally it is forbidden to eat the
fruits and vegetables of the season until they have
been tasted by His Majesty the King.
THE UMHLANGA OR REED DANCE
The Umhlanga takes place in late August or early
September each year and maidens from all over the
Kingdom pay homage to the Queen Mother.
SIBHACA DANCE
This is a vigorous dance performed by teams of men
throughout the Kingdom.
GEOGRAPHY OF ESWATINI
From North to South, Eswatini is divided into
four geographical regions: Highveld, Middleveld,
Lowveld and Lubombo. The Lubombo, which
is a mountainous range, divides Eswatini from
Mozambique in the East, with the north, south and
west being bounded by South Africa. Climatically,
rainfall and temperatures vary between the different
regions with the lowveld experiencing generally
much higher summer temperatures of +40°c. Rainfall
with thunderstorms is during the summer months
between November - April. Seasons and average
temperatures for Mbabane (Highveld).
Autumn Apr - May +17°c
Winter Jun - Aug +13°c
Spring Sep - Oct +18°c
Summer Nov - Mar +20°c
THE HIGHVELD
MBABANE (The Capital)
Mbabane, meaning "something sharp and bitter" is
the government centre of Eswatini and was founded
as administrative capital in 1902.
Mbabane boasts many attractions for the tourist,
including hotels and restaurants, art galleries, a
theatre club, golf course and club, a library, cinema,
Embassies, banking facilities Mbabane Market hosting
an assortment of arts, crafts, fruit and vegetables.
The Swazi Plaza, The Mall and The New Mall offer
a wide variety of shops, coffee houses, restaurants,
banks, supermarkets, boutiques, bookshops, handcraft
and curios, shoes, chemists, gift shops, jewellers,
travel agents, photography and hair salons to name
but a few.
LUPHOHLO DAM
Fed by the little Usutu River, this dam is very popular
Mbabane.
MAGUGA DAM
It is part of the Komati River, situated at 12km south
of Piggs Peak. Maguga Dam is the 4th highest dam in
Southern Africa at 115 metres high.
MHLAMBANYATSI AND THE USUTU FORESTS
Mhlambanyatsi or "Watering Place of the Buffaloes"
is home to the many employees of the nearby Pulp
company with the village offering many essential
facilities.
Outside the village very popular country hotels and
hideaway cottages where trout fishing, nature trails and
horse riding are a must.
MANKAYANE
Known for the rearing of Angora goats and Merino
sheep which support a local industry of mohair
products. This area boasts wonderful scenic views as
you drop steeply into Mankayane from the Highveld.
PIGGS PEAK
Today a timber producing area covered in forests,
Piggs Peak was once a gold mining town. Set in
spectacular mountain ranges, you will find bushmen
paintings, waterfalls, hotels and casino, horse riding,
out-rides, handcrafts, mohair spinning and weaving,
basketware and beadwork. Near Piggs Peak is a nature
reserve with luxury accommodation in the form of
lodges set in and around mountains, waterfalls and
forests.
MALOLOTJA/NGWENYA
The Ngwenya and Silotwane mountains form part of a
nature reserve encompassing Highveld and Middleveld
landscape and exceptional high waterfalls. This nature
reserve has 180km of hiking trails varying in strenuous
standards and rich in plant life and game viewing with
excellent accommodation. Beneath Ngwenya mountain
peak is the Ngwenya Iron Ore Mine which is no longer
in operation but is said to be the oldest of its kind in
the world. Nearby is the only glass making factory of
its kind in the Southern Hemisphere where recycled
glass is handblown into various pieces. Also situated in
the area is a studio specialising in unique tapestries of
limited editions.
HAWANE DAM
The Hawane Dam north of Mbabane is very popular
with birdwatchers and visitors to the nearby park.
THE MIDDLEVELD
MANZINI: Situated in the centre of the kingdom is the
"Hub" of the nation - Manzini, the original capital of the Home to vast hectares of sugar cane, these towns
nation until the capital was moved to Mbabane during
the Boer War. All arterial roads and railways branch out
from Manzini in all directions.
Manzini has two large shopping centres (The Bhunu
Mall and The Hub) which offers a wide selection of
shops, restaurants, boutiques, jewellers, supermarkets,
booksellers and many more. Manzini is the official host
to The Eswatini International Trade Fair which is an
annual event around the month of August promoting
commerce and industry of the Kingdom.
MATSAPHA
This area is mainly made up of industrial sites and
is home to the majority of Eswatini's industry and is
such a major centre for employment of Swazi people.
Found at Matsapha is a rehabilitation centre for the
handicapped and Hospice which tends to the needs of
the terminally ill and their families.
Eswatini's International Airport is situated at Matsapha,
en route to Manzini.
MALKERNS General
On the way to Malkerns, which is a major farming Information
area, one will find road-side stalls selling fresh fruit
and vegetables, craft shops, restaurants, a candle
factory, a cannery, a batik shop, stables, nurseries
and the Factory of Agriculture of University of
Swaziland.
LOBAMBA
The Houses of Parliament consisting of two
chambers (Senate and House of Assembly) can be
found at Lobamba which is open to official guided
tours for visitors.
The National Museum which is rich in Eswatini history
and tradition is situated next to Parliament. Newly
built is King Sobhuza II Memorial Park which is also a
centre of attraction to our visitors and the public, also
next to Parliament Offices.
The Somhlolo National Stadium is used for major
celebrations and events within the kingdom and
is frequently used for international soccer events,
Royal celebrations, Annual Rock Concerts and for
addresses by visiting dignitaries.
Past Parliament, one may view the Royal Lozitha
Palace which is not open to viewing by visitors.
THE EZULWINI VALLEY
"The Valley of Heaven" is home to the major
tourist attractions with exceptional scenic routes
as you descend the Malagwane Hill and enter the
Middleveld. Along the sides of the main roads one
will find handicraft and curio stalls, hotels, a casino,
restaurants, night clubs, stables, a golf course, health
and beauty studios, resorts and caravan parks.
Also found in the valley is a wildlife sanctuary
covering 4,500 hectares containing a wide variety of
mammals, birds, trees and plants. The sanctuary also
has a restcamp situated around a hippo pool. Horse
rides and mountain trails are just a few of the exciting
ways to experience African nature.
NHLANGANO
Nhlangano meaning "Meeting Place" is situated in
the south near the Mahamba border gate and is the
main agricultural centre of the Shiselweni district.
A hotel and casino offering golf, tennis, swimming,
horse riding, a cinema, disco and restaurants will
keep visitors well occupied.
En route to Hlatikulu and Manzini is the Grand Valley
with very picturesque scenery.
THE LOWVELD
LAVUMISA
Situated in the Lowveld this is a major gateway to
Eswatini through cotton and farming country.
BIG BEND & LUBOMBO
This area is well known for its production, milling and
refining of sugar, raising of beef cattle and citrus.
PHUZUMOYA & SIPHOFANENI
Between Big Bend and Manzini is a private
game reserve for endangered species offering
accommodation, game drives and walks and white
water rafting on the Great Usutu river.
TSHANENI, MHLUME, TAMBANKULU & SIMUNYE
are made up of residents who are employees of the
various estates. Each town is well facilitated with all
essential services catered for.
Two mills are situated at Mhlume and Simunye with
the processed sugar being marketed worldwide.
Operating at Tshaneni is a large irrigation scheme
feeding water from the Komati river to a farming
estate. On the estate is the Sand River Dam used by
locals for yachting.
Near Simunye are nature reserves and a National
park rich in wildlife with excellent camping grounds
for overnight visitors.
LUBOMBO
SITEKI
This is a small town well known for its hotel and new
conservation nature reserve.