Autonomy for the Swazis of southern Africa was guaranteed by the British in the late 19th century; independence was granted in 1968. Student and labor unrest during the 1990s pressured the monarchy (one of the oldest on the continent) to grudgingly allow political reform and greater democracy. Swaziland recently surpassed Botswana as the country with the world's highest known rates of HIV/AIDS infection.
Country profile: Swaziland
The kingdom of Swaziland is one of the world's last remaining absolute monarchies.Its king rules by decree over his million subjects, most of whom live in the countryside and follow traditional ways of life.
The power of the throne, however, has not gone unchallenged.
King Mswati III, on the throne since 1986, is upholding the tradition of his father, King Sobhuza II, who reigned for almost 61 years and had scores of wives.
AT-A-GLANCE- Politics: King Mswati III - on the throne since 1986 - rules by decree and says the country is not yet ready for multi-party politics
- Economy: Thousands have lost their jobs as garment and sugar export industries have lost trading concessions
- International: Swaziland has diplomatic ties with Taiwan rather than China
King Sobhuza scrapped the constitution in 1973 and banned political parties.
King Mswati has shown no enthusiasm for sharing power, but banned opposition parties and trade unions have been vocal in their demands for greater democracy and limits on the king's power.
With peaceful change in neighbouring South Africa and Mozambique, Swaziland has been described as an island of dictatorship in a sea of democracy. Royalists have argued that democracy creates division, and that a monarch is a strong unifying force.
A long-awaited constitution, signed by the king in 2005 and introduced in 2006, cemented his rule.
Swaziland is virtually homogenous, most of the population being of the same tribe. Economically, it relies on South Africa, which receives almost half of Swazi exports and supplies most of its imports.
Many Swazis live in chronic poverty and food shortages are widespread. Aids is taking a heavy toll with more than 40% of the population believed infected with HIV. The virus has killed many workers and farmers and has created thousands of orphans. Life expectancy has plummeted.
- Full name: The Kingdom of Swaziland
- Population: 1.1 million (UN, 2005)
- Capital: Mbabane
- Area: 17,364 sq km (6,704 sq miles)
- Major languages: Swazi, English (both official)
- Major religions: Christianity, indigenous beliefs
- Life expectancy: 32 years (men), 33 years (women) (UN)
- Monetary unit: 1 Lilangeni = 100 cents
- Main exports: Sugar, wood pulp, minerals
- GNI per capita: US $2,280 (World Bank, 2006)
- Internet domain: .sz
- International dialling code: +268
King: Mswati III
King Mswati III was crowned in 1986 at the age of 18, succeeding his long-serving father King Sobhuza II, who died at the age of 82.
The king, who is known as Ngweyama - "the lion" - often appears in public in traditional dress and has many wives.
He rules by decree and has been criticised for the heavy-handed treatment of opponents. The king has also been criticised for requesting public money to pay for new palaces, a personal jet and luxury cars. Street protests led him to abandon the aircraft purchase.
State control of the media is strong. The government controls all radio and TV stations with the exception of a Christian radio station.
Freedom of expression in the press is seriously restricted. Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders reports that the sole private daily is largely given over to "news trivia, entertainment and sports". "Criticising the king is inconceivable," it adds.
The press
Television
Radio
In this small, landlocked economy, subsistence agriculture occupies more than 80% of the population. The manufacturing sector has diversified since the mid-1980s. Sugar and wood pulp remain important foreign exchange earners. Mining has declined in importance in recent years with only coal and quarry stone mines remaining active. Surrounded by South Africa, except for a short border with Mozambique, Swaziland is heavily dependent on South Africa from which it receives about nine-tenths of its imports and to which it sends nearly two-thirds of its exports. Customs duties from the Southern African Customs Union and worker remittances from South Africa substantially supplement domestically earned income. The government is trying to improve the atmosphere for foreign investment. Overgrazing, soil depletion, drought, and sometimes floods persist as problems for the future. More than one-fourth of the population needed emergency food aid in 2004-05 because of drought, and nearly two-fifths of the adult population has been infected by HIV/AIDS.
Swazi natural resources include asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc
landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa
Swazi religion is Zionist 40% (a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship), Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 10%, Anglican, Bahai, Methodist, Mormon, Jewish and other 30%.
Natural hazards in Swaziland include drought.
Travel Advice on Swaziland
SUMMARY
- There is no British High Commission in Swaziland, but there is an Honorary British Consul in Mbabane who can be contacted for emergency consular assistance only (see contact details below). All other enquiries should be directed to the British High Commission in Pretoria.
- Do not drive at night along the N4 or other isolated roads, as there is a risk of being hijacked. Livestock and unlit parked vehicles pose additional hazards.
- HIV/AIDS prevalence is high –around 43% of the local population are infected.
- The threat from terrorism is low. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.
- Around 40,000 British tourists visit Swaziland every year. Most visits are trouble free. The main type of incident for which British nationals require consular assistance in Swaziland is for replacing lost or stolen passports. You should keep a photocopy of your passport with you and keep the original in a safe place.
- Crime levels are low but sensible precautions are needed.
- We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. Please see: Travel Insurance.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
HEALTH
There is a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Swaziland. You should be aware of the dangers of infection from unprotected sex.
Bilharzia, a tropical flat worm found in water and which is parasitic in humans, exist in some rivers.
Malaria is common in most parts of the country apart from Mbabane and other parts of the highveld. More than three-quarters of British travellers who contracted malaria in 2005 did not take preventive measures, such as taking malaria prevention tablets. However, malaria can occur despite appropriate prevention, and therefore you should promptly seek medical care in the event of a fever or flu-like illness in the first year following your return from travelling to a malaria risk country. Before travelling you should seek medical advice about the malaria risk in Swaziland.
Anyone intending to camp or walk in the bush should be aware of the risk of tick bites.
Rabies is endemic in most African countries. The rabies virus is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals and transmitted to humans through bites, scratches or contact of saliva with broken skin and can be fatal once symptoms manifest themselves. All travellers who have possibly been exposed to the rabies virus, whether by bites, scratches or other exposure, should seek medical advice without delay (even if pre-exposure vaccine was received). This also applies to travellers in low risk areas in case other animal-transmitted infections are present, or the animal may have strayed across the border from an endemic country. More information can be found o9n the National Travel Health Network and Centre website at: http://www.nathnac.org.
GENERAL
Frank Pettit
PO Box A 41
Eveni
Mbabane
H103
Swaziland
Telephone/Fax: +268 551 6247
E-mail: honbritcon@realnet.co.sz
All other enquiries should be directed to the British High Commission in Pretoria, who cover Swaziland.
Money
The local currency (Emalangeni) is not convertible. South African Rands are accepted, as are most major credit cards. ATM machines are readily available.