The newly-appointed prime minister of the tiny kingdom of eSwatini on Friday banned first-class air travel for top government officials as part of a slew of measures to control spending.
Prime Minister Ambrose Dlamini, who took office a month ago, also announced that he will not buy a new car for himself but inherit the old one used by his predecessor as the economy battles slowing growth.
Following the current economic challenges facing the kingdom, the cabinet has decided to implement major interim fiscal decisions to enhance financial prudence and controls so as to spend as little money as possible, he said in a statement.
Dlamini said all senior officials including himself and ministers will no longer travel first class but in business class when flying on national duties.
All other public servants will fly in economy class.
All foreign trips by government officials would be vetted to ensure they were of national importance.
A former banker and national executive of Africa’s leading mobile operator MTN, Dlamini was last month named prime minister by King Mswati III, to replace Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini who died in September.
Dlamini said he was preparing an economic recovery plan for the country which suffers dire poverty and has struggled to lift its economy.
The World bank says that eSwatini’s GDP is projected to contract by -0.6 per cent this year mainly as a result of worsening fiscal challenges and the government’s fiscal consolidation efforts.
Declining government revenue and high expenditure have resulted in high fiscal deficit and cash flow problems.
The king, Mswati, one of the world’s last absolute rulers, who has 14 wives and more than 25 children, has a reputation for lavish spending on private planes and royal palaces while 63 per cent of his subjects live in poverty.
Without warning in April, Mswati III marked 50 years since his country’s independence from British colonial rule by announcing that it would now be known as eSwatini meaning land of the Swazis.
The landlocked kingdom, which has close economic ties with South Africa, faces international criticism that the government stifles dissent, jails its opponents and denies workers’ rights.
The cheerful, friendly Swazi people have preserved their rich culture and traditions as a vital element in their day-to-day lives and colorful ceremonies are held every year to celebrate the Swazi traditions.
The Swazi people are united by culture and values and the Marula Festival, locally known as Emaganwini, is one of them. Such events have kept this one tribe nation united and inseparable, making it the unique destination that it is.
The Swazis are united in song and dance during this festival, particularly the women who are the brewers of the marula beer.
It’s all about dancing and celebrating the provision of the fruit that is not only used for the beer but also for different purposes such as skin care products.
The Marula Festival in Eswatini
The Marula season begins each year in mid February and continues until May, bringing with it a celebration of the harvest of the marula fruit.
Once the green fruits fall to the ground, women and children gather and store them until they ripen to a creamy yellow colour.
The fruits are then placed into water, sugar is added and it is fermented, and distilled into a beer. This potent alcoholic mixture is called buganu, or marula beer.
The Kingdom of Eswatini celebrates the start of the Marula season with the annual Marula festival.
The festival is increasing in popularity, and swiftly becoming one of the country’s most exciting traditional ceremonies. Each year King Mswati III and Her Majesty the Indlovukazi, the Queen Mother, make their way to various regions of the Kingdom to celebrate the beginning of the Marula Season.
The largest of these festivals is held at the royal residence at Ebuhleni where the royal family join the nation in song and dance. Although the Marula Fruit is found widely throughout Africa, it is most popular in Eswatini.
Seen by the Swazi nation as much more than a food source, the Marula is rather regarded as a magical healing ingredient, with huge fertility properties.
The King and Queen mother are presented with Marula gifts and some Marula beer from each household.
Only after the royal family has had some of the beer, is the rest of the nation permitted to join in and drink as well.
Because of its many uses, the marula fruit is no longer just used to brew beer in Eswatini. It has been further developed into beauty products as part of Her Majesty, The Indlovukazi’s job creation and poverty alleviation initiatives for rural women in Eswatini.
Several families in Eswatini have benefited from this initiative.
The marula products are produced under a company called Swazi Secrets. A well fitting name for the secret of the marula fruit.
The fruit has been developed into many different beauty products. These products also come in hotel packages and gift packages.
Marula Quick Facts
- Marula fruit contains four times more valuable vitamin C than oranges.
- Marula edible seed oil is rich in nutritious proteins and minerals and contains active anti-oxidants.
- Marula essential oils an effective skin conditioner. Its cosmetic and anti-oxidant properties soften, soothe and re-hydrate the skin while fighting free radicals.
- Marula legends abound – from its use as a food source, magical qualities as a healing ingredient, to its virility and fertility properties, as well as the many uses of its bark, leaves, fruit, nut and kernels.
Marula Festival Schedule
- On the first day, the Queen Mother arrives at Buhleni Royal Residence, and the women of the area present bucket-loads of marula fruit harvested over the last week. All the women are dressed in traditional clothing and respect is shown, praise and thanks are given
- On the second day, the main day, the King usually joins the Queen Mother and the Marula Brew – Umganu – is presented to their majesties, who partake of the brew and declare the season open. This is celebrated by song and dance, specific to the occasion.
- Following this, marula brew, buganu, is officially blessed and may be consumed across the country.
- A second event of similar rituals is held at His Majesty’s Hlane Royal Residence.
Swaziland's ministry of home affairs has reportedly said that the changing of the country’s name to the Kingdom of eSwatini won't happen overnight.
The ministry said this as it reacted to concerns that the renaming of the country would have serious financial implications.
King Mswati III, one of the world’s few absolute monarchs, announced last week that his country had changed its name to eSwatini to mark 50 years since independence from British rule.
I would like to announce that Swaziland will now revert to its original name, Mswati said during independence day celebrations.
African countries on getting independence reverted to their ancient names before they were colonised.
So from now on the country will be officially known as the Kingdom of eSwatini.
In reaction, critics of the king, who took the throne in 1986 aged 18, said the move was an example of his authoritarian and wasteful reign in a country that suffers dire poverty.
Meaning place of the Swazi, eSwatini is the Swazi language name for the tiny nation landlocked between South Africa and Mozambique.
The king, who was crowned in 1986 aged 18, rules by decree and has often been criticised for his lavish lifestyle despite the grinding poverty suffered by many of his citizens.
Political parties are banned from taking part in elections and only candidates approved by chiefs loyal to the king can stand for office.
The country, which has a population of about 1.3 million people, suffers the highest HIV rate in the world, with 27% of adults infected.
Unlike some countries, Swaziland did not change its name when it gained independence in 1968 after being a British protectorate for more than 60 years.
We see here King Mswati's autocratic style, said Alvit Dlamini, head of the Ngwane National Liberatory Congress, a political party which, like others, is not allowed to run in elections.
He can't change the name of the country on his own. He was supposed to consult the nation.
Dlamini said that the change would be expensive for Swaziland, where 63% of the 1.3 million population live below the national poverty line, according the World Food Programme.
This will come with major cost implications, we are a broke country, he said.
But according to SABC, Home Affairs Minister Princess Tsandzile Dlamini maintained that the renaming process would be done cautiously to prevent high costs.
The issue has come at the rightful time, we are 50 years-old now.
We were called by the name that was used by the British, we are now taking back what belongs to us.
We are eSwatini, we are most grateful and happy about that.
But talking to letter heads of government to passport to everything it would have to take time so that we finish the stock that we have, she was quoted as saying.
The name change could mean that the country’s constitution is re-written, as well as changes for the Royal Swaziland Police Force, the Swaziland Defence Force and the University of Swaziland.
After independence, Rhodesia became Zimbabwe, Nyasaland became Malawi, and Bechuanaland became Botswana.
The eighth wife of Swaziland King Mswati III, Ms Senteni Masango, has committed suicide.
Senteni Masango, the king’s wife is believed to have overdosed on about 40 amitriptyline capsules widely used to block the long-term (chronic) pain of some rheumatic conditions and treat depression and related disorders.
Ms Masango – known as Inkhosikati LaMasango was found dead early on Friday morning and she was buried on Sunday morning.
King Mswati III chose Ms Masango as his eighth bride in September 1999, when she was only 18.
It soon emerged she had a record for truancy, poor grades and she was a high-school dropout and a rebel.
Last year, King Mswati III, married his latest bride, Ms Siphelele Mashwama, who was aged 19 years.
It is a tradition for the Swazi King to choose a wife every year. The Sherburne educated king choses a new bride during the famous Reed Dance ceremony, also known as Umhlanga.
The Reed Dance ceremony is an annual Swazi and Zulu tradition held in August or September.
In Swaziland, tens of thousands of unmarried and childless girls and women travel from the various chiefdoms to participate in the eight day event, and would be brides are publicly checked to ascertain their virginity.
The Kingdom of Swaziland is one of the world’s last remaining absolute monarchies.
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, now aged 50, who is known as Ngweyama or the lion has many wives and often appears in public in traditional dress.
2018 is an exciting year for Swaziland, dubbed 'Africa in a nutshell' as it celebrates its 50th year since independence and King Mswati III's 50th birthday.
The '50/50' celebrations in April will be the undoubted highlight of the year but the country's stunning scenery; fascinating cultural experiences, thrilling safaris and exciting adventure activities are available all year round.
As 2018 is such a significant year for this charming Kingdom, over the coming months we’re going to deliver 50 reasons why Swaziland should be at the very top of your travel bucket list.
The month of April in particular brings a number of reasons to visit into sharp focus, so we’re starting with 5 reasons to go right now.
1. Swaziland celebrates its 50/50 in April – 50 years since Independence and 50th birthday of King Mswati III.
In true Swazi style, the celebrations on 19 April will be spectacular, attended by numerous neighbouring African heads of state, but also open to visitors.
2. The new Hilton Hotel opens in Mbabane in April. A newly-built luxury hotel and the first big international chain hotel ever in Swaziland, this is a very significant step in Swaziland’s tourism development
3. Although April is classed as a tourist low season, the weather is perfect with temperatures between 16-25C - ideal for exploring.
4. A number of tour operators launched new Swaziland trips at the start of the year that are now up and running, including a 5-day Overnight Trail on horse back with In the Saddle.
5. It’s Marula Season. Between February and mid-May Swaziland celebrates the harvest of the Marula fruit. Lots of festivities and lots of Marula beer being brewed.
Attractions
It is Swaziland’s variety of attractions in its small area that is its greatest asset.
It is the mixture of beautiful landscapes, fascinating wildlife, and rich culture that combine to make this small country such a wonderful place to visit.
Culture/People
A tiny country with a big heart and warm, friendly people aptly describes Swaziland – a country that is one of the few remaining Executive Monarchies in Africa and embraces and upholds its own unique and ancient traditions.
Both the monarchy and the people of Swaziland actively maintain and preserve a remarkable cultural heritage that is probably unmatched anywhere in Africa.
Visitors can get a better idea of traditional African culture here than pretty much anywhere else in the region.
What is seen, including spectacular festivals and energetic dances, has not simply been resuscitated for the tourist dollar but is the real deal.
The famous Umhlanga or Reed Dance and Incwala are traditional ceremonies that involve tens of thousand of Swazis, and attract visitors from all over the world.
But traditional attire, ceremonies and dancing are to be found throughout the country at all times of the year.
Wildlife
Swaziland's rich variety of landscapes and habitats gives it a profusion of fauna and flora, with the sheer number of species being mind-boggling by most European standards.
The country is not large enough to offer lots of big game experiences, but it has some 17 protected areas which are home to a very wide range of species, including the sought after Big 5.
As well as being one of the best places on the continent for rhino safaris on foot as well as by 4x4 and to see both black and white rhinos.
Swaziland is also the perfect place to get to grips with many smaller creatures often overlooked on safari elsewhere, and it is a bird-watcher’s paradise.
Landscape/Scenic
With the exception of desert and sea, every geographical feature of Africa’s terrain is found within Swaziland.
Magnificent mountain scenery with rivers, waterfalls and gorges; unique rock formations which are among the world’s most ancient; lush and fertile valleys, plus typical African bush.
From west to east, Swaziland moves from mountainous Highveld, though Middleveld to Lowveld, and then rises again to the Lubombo mountains.
Altitudes vary from 21 to 1800 m (70 to 6000 ft) – yet the country’s east and west borders are less than 200 km (125 miles) apart.
Arts & Crafts
Swaziland has a remarkably impressive range of traditional arts and crafts with many of its products now found in trendy ethnic boutiques around world.
Throughout the country men and women are at work creating the finest handicrafts that are so popular with visitors.
Creative basket ware in vibrant clours, wood and stone carvings, glassware, exquisite candles, batik items, jewellery – all uniquely Swazi.
In many places that they are on sale, there is also chance to see the craftspeople at work and marvel at their intricate skills.
Many are socially responsible outlets which provide both income and empowerment for their craftspeople from poor rural communities.
Activities
Swaziland’s mountains, valleys, rivers and other natural wonders make it the ideal choice for those seeking adventure, and even high adrenaline experiences.
In addition, the rich culture allows for less adrenaline-fueled activities.
All activities in Swaziland are available year-round, but for some suggestions of what to try when, have a look at our Swaziland Calendar, and don't forget all the Events that go in in Swaziland each year.
Cultural Activities
With Swaziland’s rich culture and strong traditions, this is a wonderful country to partake in some fascinating cultural activities.
The monarchy and the people of Swaziland actively maintain and preserve a remarkable cultural heritage, allowing visitors to get a better idea of traditional African culture here than pretty much anywhere else in the region.
What is seen, including spectacular festivals, has not simply been resuscitated for the tourist dollar but is the real deal.
Events
If there is one thing that Swaziland is known for around the world it is the magnificent traditional festivals that the country hosts- particularly the Umhlanga (Reed Dance) and Incwala ceremonies.
Both are living cultural events that, bar the odd wristwatch and mobile phone, have hardly changed in two hundred years.
Visitors are allowed to watch, but neither ceremony makes any concession to tourism; even the precise dates are not published in advance, being dependent on the vagaries of ancestral astrology.
The main events happen at the royal parade grounds at Ludzidzini but the mood of celebration sweeps the nation.
Visitors to the country around the time of the events will doubtless see wandering bands of warriors or maidens decked out in full regalia as they head to or from the festivities.
The modern event that has gained an international reputation in far fewer years is the Bushfire Festival – a performing arts festival held every May.
Swaziland’s annual calendar is a mix of traditional and modern events
Safaris
The many Game Parks and Nature Reserves across Swaziland protect a vast variety of animals. From the magnificent Big Five to warthogs, antelope and reptiles, Swaziland is home to numerous of Africa’s wild animal species.
The emphasis in Swaziland is to provide visitors with a more intimate wildlife experience in areas of natural beauty, and to allow them a certain amount of freedom to explore on their own terms.
This is no place for mass tourism and convoys of vehicles but instead, walks to learn about the bush and track rare species like black and white rhino.
As well as traditional 4x4 and walking safaris, some of Swaziland’s reserves can also be explored by mountain bike and on horseback.
In a number of the reserves visitors are free to move around independently, without the need for a guide or ranger.
There are even self catering options amongst the accommodation that allow you to be in charge of your own safari lodge in the bush.
There aren’t many places in the world where you can head off for your own bike ride and encounter zebra and bushbuck along the way, or take a stroll to see the giraffe before settling down to your own bush barbeque.
Birdwatching
Some 500 species of bird have been recorded in Swaziland. This puts it roughly on a par with France (517) or, more locally, the Kruger National Park (505), and is a remarkable tally for such a tiny, landlocked country.
This comes from its diversity of habitats, with several very different bird communities occurring side-by-side.
Outdoor Activities
With the massive variety of Swaziland’s natural landscapes, it’s no surprise that there is a wealth of outdoor activities available in this small, beautiful country.
The scenery can be explored on foot, by bike, on horseback and even by quad bike. And there are a even a few rivers and dams/reservoirs allowing for boat trips.
Adventure Activities
Swaziland’s mountains, valleys, rivers and other natural wonders make it the ideal choice for those seeking adrenaline activities.
It has built reputation for a variety of thrilling adventure activities that once again belies its small size. These include Caving, Canopy Tours, Climbing, Abseiling, Tubing and White Water Rafting.
Sports
There is no shortage of ways to keep fit and active in Swaziland. As well as the Outdoor Activities and Adventure Activities covered elsewhere, there are a number of sports on offer, including Fishing, Swimming, Golf, Tennis, Squash.
Gyms, spas, yoga and team building are also covered here. The best places to find most sporting facilities are Swaziland’s various Country and Golf Clubs – legacies of the country’s colonial past.
Water Sports
As a land-locked country, Swaziland has no coastline that would allow for the variety of beach activities and watersports found in neighbouring South Africa and Mozambique.
It does have a number of dams/reservoirs, and some magnificent rivers, that provide the opportunity for a few water-based activities, but these are covered elsewhere.
- Boat Trips can be found under Outdoor Activities
- Swimming and Fishing can be found under Sports
- White Water Rafting can be found under Adventure Activities
Shopping
In today's retail society, shopping is an ever more popular activity. Swaziland has a handful of modern malls, but the country's best shopping experiences come from the traditional handicrafts on offer.
Swaziland has a remarkably impressive range of traditional arts and crafts with many of its products now found in trendy ethnic boutiques around world.
Throughout the country men and women are at work creating and selling the finest handicrafts that are so popular with visitors.
Swaziland offers stunning landscapes and exciting game but its also known for its many festivals. Join us for a truly authentic African festival experience all year around!
The Kingdom of Swaziland is well known for its many cultural festivals, the Swazis are friendly, relaxed and easy-going people who love to party and gladly welcome visitors into their cultural celebrations. The Swazi festival calendar is an eclectic mix of both first-class modern, and time honoured traditional events. The tribal rituals and ceremonies such as Incwala, Marula Festival and the world famous Reed Dance have captured the imagination of visitors to Swaziland for generations. Swaziland is also home of the internationally acclaimed, MTN Bushfire, a three day festival experience for all ages that celebrates its 10th Anniversary this year.
During the weekend of May 27th- 29th the country hosts MTN Bushfire Festival, announced by CNN as one of the “7 African music festivals you really have to see”. It is Swaziland’s annual meeting of a multi-generational community. More than 20,000 'Bring their fire’ to experience the three day event. Renowned for eclectic and multi-dimensional world music, the event includes a compelling line-up of theatre, poetry, dance, art exhibits & installations, story-telling, puppetry, film, and themed workshops.
The 2016 edition is the culmination of ten incredible years of passion, dedication and commitment to the music, arts, and culture of Southern Africa and beyond. The stellar, incredibly diverse line-up for the 10th anniversary edition of the festival is truly a global celebration, with artists from over 20 countries set to perform.
In late August it is the Swazi women who lead the country's celebrations in the annual Reed Dance. Young girls mainly in their teens from all over the Kingdom and beyond its borders gather and pay homage to the Queen Mother. Over 20 000 girls dressed in brightly coloured beaded skirts with anklets, bracelets and colourful sashes gather to perform before the Royal Family in a celebration of unity of the countries young women.
Incwala Festival, held at the start of a new year, on a date chosen by astrologers in conjunction with the phases of the moon, is one of the biggest and most spectacular events in Africa. For the Swazi people it is an important religious ritual, a fertility ceremony designed to both prepare for the coming year and serve as a symbolic renewal of the monarchy, the king leads festivities and in full ceremonial dress joins his warriors in the traditional dance.
In February, the Marula festival is a royal tribute to the riches of Mother Nature, where local Marula fruit is harvested and used to make beer to a traditional recipe. The Marula Festival starts at the Royal Residence, Ebuhleni, when King Mswati III and the Queen Mother are presented with gifts and Marula beer from each household. Only after the Royal Family has first tasted the Marula Beer, are the rest of the nation permitted to join in and drink. After this King Mswati III and the Queen Mother start to travel across the country, joining the nation in song, dance and celebration.
The Kingdom of Swaziland offers all year round festivals and cultural celebrations for the delight of Swazi’s and visitors from around the globe. Take Swaziland’s festival challenge and enjoy one (or all) of the most truly African experiences in the tiniest country of South East Africa.
