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TRAVEL INFORMATION
FOR KINGDOM OF SWAZILAND
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BRIEF HISTORY
Swaziland is an independent monarchy, rich in
traditions and heritage, led by King Mswati III
with parliament and consultation prescribing all
laws and customs.
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 his “First
Fruit” or Ncwala ceremony and it is held in
December or January – the date being chosen by
astrologers. Traditionally it is forbidden to
eat the fruits and vegetables of the season
until His Majesty the King has tasted them.
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 DANCING
This is a vigorous dance performed by teams of
men throughout the Kingdom.
GEOGRAPHY OF
SWAZILAND
From North to South, Swaziland is divided into
four geographical regions: Highveld, Lowveld,
Middleveld and Lubombo.
The Lubombo, which is a mountainous range,
divides Swaziland 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 +40oc. Rainfall
with thunderstorms is during the summer months
between November – April. Seasons and average
temperatures for Mbabane (Highveld)
Autumn: April – May +17
Winter: June – August +13
Spring: September – October +18
Summer November – March +20
Population
912,878 (third post-independence population
census 1997 est.); annual growth rate
approximately 3,2%; about 60% aged under 21
years – 76 % live in rural areas, 24% in urban
centers
LANGUAGE
English and siSwati are the two official
languages, with English widely spoken in
business and commerce.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
All visitors require valid passports, some
nationalities require visas
ENTRY POINTS
Air travel: Royal Swazi Airways operates regular
scheduled air services and suitable connections
to numerous major regional cities such as
Johannesburg, Cape Town, Maputo, Harare, Lusaka,
Maseru, Dar-Es-Salaam, Nairobi and Entebbe.
South African Express operates daily flights
between Matsapha and Johannesburg. National
airport situated at Matsapha, 8 km from Manzini.
Departure tax currently E20 or R20). Major
hotels operate shuttle buses.
By road: Busiest
border post is at Ngwenya in the west, where
substantial developments provide has greatly
improved access, Lavumisa in the south-east, and
Mahamba in the south. Foreign – registered
vehicles entering by border posts subject to E5
entrance tax.
Border posts
Daily opening times
Bulembu - Josefsdal 0800 –1600
Managa - Bordergate 0800
– 1800
Gege - Bothashoop 0800 – 1600
Lavumisa - Golela 0700 – 2200
Lomahasha - Namaacha 0700 – 2000
Lundzi - Waverly 0800 – 2200
Mahamba - Mahamba 0700 – 2200
Matsamo – Jeppe’s Reef 0700 – 1800
Ngwenya - Oshoek 0700 – 2200
Salitje - Overwacht 0800 –
1600
Sandlane - Nerston 0800 – 1800
Sicunusa – Houdkop 0800 – 1600
Mhlumeni 0700 - 2000
Road distances
From Mbabane to other centers (in km)
Ngwenya 15
Mhlambanyatsi 27
Manzini 33
Bhunya 42
Piggs Peak 66
Hlatikulu 69
Sandlane 74
Siphofaneni 79
Matsamo 104
Siteki 105
Big-Bend 115
Tshaneni 131
Nhlangano 148
Mahamba 169
Lavumisa 179
Driving
Visitors from South Africa do not require
international drivers licenses. (For road
distances form other main cities in SA and
Mozambique, refer to Tourism). Speed limit is
80km/h unless otherwise stated, with roads
winding and steep in places. Vehicles are
driven left-hand side of road, with local laws
requiring all vehicles to give way to royal
motorcades; wearing seatbelts is compulsory.
Tarmac roads lead from main entry points to
Manzini and Mbabane. Car hire companies operate
efficient services. Cars may be collected and
left at airport. Taxis are available in Mbabane
and Manzini
HEALTH REQUIREMENT
Yellow fever and cholera vaccination
certificates are not required unless visitor
travels through or from endemic area.
Precautionary measures against malaria re
recommended. There are modern, fully equipped
hospitals in main centers.
CURRENCY
Lilangeni (plural emalangeni) and cents, freely
exchangeable and on par with South African
currency. Residents who wish to buy and sell
gold or foreign currency (i.e. other that
Emalangeni, Maloti, Namibian dollar or Rand) may
do so only through authorized dealers
BANKING AND BUSINESS HOURS
Banks open on weekdays from 0830 to 1530 and on
Saturdays 0830 to 1100. Commercial concerns
open weekdays from 0800 to 1900, on Saturdays
0800 to 1700. Some facilities and out lets open
on Sundays. All government offices are closed
on Saturdays.
CHURCHES
Most denominations are represented, with times
of services advertised locally.
TOURIST INFORMANTION
Tourist office situated in Swazi Plaza, Mbabane
(Tel: 4044556)
GOVERNMENT CONTACTS
King’s Office
Lobamba 4161080
Private Secretary 5052282
PARLIAMENT
OFFICES
P.O. Box 49, Mbabane
PRIME
MINISTER’S OFFICE
Government House, P.O. Box 395, Mbabane
El: 4042251/2/3, fax: 4043943, e-mail
ppcu@realnet.co.sz
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Office of the DPM, P.O. Box A33, Swazi Plaza
Mbabane
Tel: 4042723/4044028, fax: 4040084
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This prospectus is
intended to provide general information about
the arrangements for courses, seminars and
workshops in International Management
Development Center for HIPC Nations. The Center
reserve the right to modify or cancel, without
notice, any statement in this prospectus and
accept no responsibility for any consequence of
such modification or cancellation.
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The contents of the
prospectus
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