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Swaziland
Area: 17,363 sq.km
Population: 1,136,334 million (2006 est)
Capital city: Mbabane, population 67,200 (2002)
People: Swazi
Languages: English and SiSwati
Religion(s): Christianity and indigenous beliefs
Currency: Lilangeni (plural: Emalangeni)
Major political parties: Officially none, however the Ngwane National Liberatory Congress (NNLC), a progressive grouping of the centre left, and the more conservative Sive Siyinqaba cultural organisation have had unofficial representation in Parliament. A 1973 ban on political parties appears to have been superceded by the King’s Proclamation bringing a new Constitution into effect on 8 February 2006.
Government: Absolute Monarchy, assisted by Cabinet and by traditional counsellors
Head of State: King Mswati III
Prime Minister: Absalom Themba Dlamini
Foreign Minister: Mathendele Dlamini
Membership of international groupings/organisations: African Union (AU), Commonwealth, Southern African Customs Union (SACU), Southern African Development Community (SADC), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
GEOGRAPHY
The Kingdom of Swaziland is about the size of Wales. It is bordered by South Africa and Mozambique and is divided into four geographical and climatic bands.. The mountainous Highveld, with its near-temperate climate runs along the western border; the lower altitude Middleveld, with a sub-tropical climate, and the Lowveld, with a near-tropical climate run down the centre of the country; and the sub-tropical Lubombo (meaning ‘ridge’) runs along the eastern side of the Lowveld. The capital, Mbabane, is situated in the Highveld at 1300 metres above sea level. HISTORY
The Swazi nation has been led by a monarchy since about the middle of the seventeenth century. In 1890, Swaziland was brought under the protection and administration of the British Governor of the Transvaal. It was assumed that it would in time be incorporated into South Africa, though not against the wishes of its inhabitants. In 1910 the Transvaal became a province of the Union of South Africa and Swaziland came under the direct control of the UK. When the National Party with its policy of apartheid came to power in South Africa in 1948, incorporation of the protectorate was rendered unacceptable to both British and world opinion.
Swaziland gained limited self-government in 1964, and became a protected Kingdom in 1966 under a new constitution that recognised the King as Head of State. Elections were held in April 1967 and full independence was granted on 6 September 1968.
In April 1973, King Sobhuza II repealed the Westminster-style Independence Constitution and assumed supreme powers. In 1978, the King instituted an electoral system whereby royal nominees selected 40 members of the House of Assembly. King Sobhuza II died on 21 August 1982, having reigned for 61 years. Within a few days, a caucus of Princes and Chiefs had chosen one of Sobhuza’s many sons, Prince Makhosetive as heir. After a four-year regency, the Prince was crowned as King Mswati III on 25 April 1986.
POLITICS
Swaziland is an executive monarchy, but one with universal adult suffrage. Swazis have been able to vote by secret ballot for their MPs since 1993 as a result of Mswati’s reforms. The traditional rural ‘Tinkhundla’ system (local authorities grouping together chieftaincies) is the basis for the 55 constituencies from which MPs are drawn.
There is a bicameral parliament. The House of Assembly has 65 members, 10 appointed by the King and the rest directly elected every 5 years (last election: 18 October 2003). Under the new Constitution this is increased to 75 members, of whom 60 are to be elected from tinkhundla constituencies. The Senate has 30 members, 20 appointed by the King and 10 chosen by the House of Assembly. The Prime Minister, appointed by the King, is not necessarily an elected member of the House of Assembly.
The new Constitution came into effect on 8 February 2006. It introduced a Bill of Rights. This includes freedom of association, but does not allow parliamentary candidates to stand for election as members of political parties. It also maintains the executive role of the monarch.
HUMAN RIGHTS
The United Kingdom has discussed issues relating to human rights with the Government of Swaziland; in particular, restrictions on political parties, trade union rights, freedom of association, independence of the judicial and penal systems and gender equality. The new Constitution’s Bill of Rights is judiciable. It incorporates a number of positive provisions for women. The death penalty remains on the statute book and has been carried through to the new Constitution, although no death sentences have been carried out in Swaziland since 1982. One currently contentious issue in Swaziland is whether rapists who knowingly infect their victims with HIV should be given the death penalty.
In 2003, the President of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) was acquitted of sedition charges. A number of PUDEMO activists have been charged with high treason in connection with firebombing incidents. The EU has expressed concern about reports of police heavy-handedness during the interrogation of suspects.
ECONOMY
Basic economic facts
GDP: US\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\$2.7 billion (2006 est.)
Annual growth: 1.2% (2006 est.)
Inflation: 4.8% (2005)
Major industries: Mining (coal), wood pulp, sugar, textiles, soft drink concentrate
Major trading partners: South Africa, EU, US, Mozambique.
Exchange rate: The lilangeni is pegged at parity to the South African rand: Emalangeni: US\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\$ 6.8 (2006 av.)
The expiry of the World Trade Organisation (WTO)’s Multifibre Agreement on 1 January 2005 has adversely affected Swaziland’s textile manufacturing output and led to factory closures and lay-offs. The sector continues to suffer in the face of robust Asian competition. Swaziland sugar producers are working with government and the regional European Commission office to mitigate the effects of the EU’s decision to reform its sugar regime.
DEVELOPMENT
Swaziland is classified as a middle income developing country, although the distribution of income is highly skewed and poverty in the rural areas is widespread. It also has the highest HIV/AIDS infection rate in the world (38.6%), with huge economic and social implications. A National Emergency Response Committee (NERCHA) was established in 2001 to reinforce the government and international efforts to combat the spread of HIV. In view of the impact on agriculture of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the United Nation (UN)’s World Food Programme (WFP) has agreed to provide food assistance to almost 180,000 Swazis until 2007.
The UK is the second largest bilateral donor of HIV/AIDS assistance in the world. Swaziland is included in the Department For International Development (South Africa)’s regional work on HIV and AIDS. In addition to direct spending, DFID contributes about £0.5 million per year through the EU programme in Swaziland. It also makes substantial contributions to the UN programme on HIV/AIDS, the UN Population Fund, World Health Organisation, EC and the World Bank.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Through membership of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Swaziland enjoys good relations with its neighbours. Swaziland’s economy depends heavily on receipts from the Customs Union and on close integration with South Africa, its main trading partner.
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