Simple directory > Regional > Swaziland

Country : Swaziland Official name: Umbuso weSwatini (Kingdom of Swaziland) Head of State: King Mswati III Head of government: Prime Minister Themba Dlamini (from 14 Nov 2003) Ruling party: Political parties are banned under the 1978 constitution. Area: 17,363 square km Population: 1.10 million (2004) Capital: Mbabane (administrative capital); Lobamba (legislative capital and the seat of the monarchy) Official language: English and siSwati Currency: Lilangeni – plural Emalangeni (E) = 100 cents; at par with the South African Rand Exchange rate: E6.12 per US$ (Nov 2004) GDP per capita: US$1,091 (2003) GDP real growth: 1.50% (2003) Labour force: 383,200 (2003) Unemployment: 34.00% (2003) Inflation: 9.50% (2003) Balance of trade: -US$118.00 million (2003) Foreign debt: US$320.00 million (2003)

Historical profile

Many centuries ago an African people of Nguni descent (the ancestral root of the majority of South Africa's indigenous people) migrated southwards from central Africa and eventually, during the mid-eighteenth century, a group settled in the forested, mountainous area which is now Swaziland. These people, the Nkosi Dlamini, became known as the Swazis.

Swaziland first emerged as a separate nation in the nineteenth century when King Sobhuza I merged his own people with refugees fleeing from the violent expansion of the Zulus to establish a country capable of resisting the Zulu advance.

1903 After a period of rivalry between the British and the Boers, Swaziland became a British protectorate.

1963 Swaziland's first constitution was introduced.

1964 The first elections resulted in victory for the Imbokodvo National Movement (INM).

1967 Swaziland was granted internal self-government as a protected state. Sobhuza II was recognised as King and head of state; Prince Makhosini Dlamini, leader of the INM, was appointed prime minister.

1968 Independence was granted.

1973 The King revoked the Westminster-based constitution and banned political parties.

1978 The previous constitution was replaced with a system designed to accommodate both western and traditional styles of government. Political parties were banned.

1982 King Sobhuza II died.

1986 After a lengthy selection and training period, Crown Prince Makhosetive was chosen to succeed his father and he was crowned King Mswati III.

1992 Parliament was dissolved and Swaziland was governed by the Liqoqo (traditional tribal assembly).

1993 Democratic reforms led to the people directly electing some members of the Liqoqo.

1996 The King appointed a Constitutional Review Commission (CRC).

2000 Trade unions demonstrated against the government. The government put five critics of the government under house arrest and banned trade union meetings. The Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU) met in South Africa and drew up the Nelspruit Declaration, demanding the formation of an interim government. The government amended the labour laws. Swaziland became eligible for African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA) benefits.

2001 Many people were forced into political exile in South Africa. Decree 2 was issued by King Mswati, giving the monarch power to overrule court decisions. It was soon repealed after the US threatened to end the country's benefits under the AGOA.

2002 The Internal Security Bill was enacted, which made it illegal to display support for any political party. The Libyan leader, Colonel Muammar al Qadafi, visited Swaziland to give his support to the monarchy. The King bought a private jet costing US$55 million -- twice the amount the UN reckoned was needed to stop 250,000 Swazis starving during the year.

2003 Parliamentary elections held in October were considered by the opposition to be meaningless since political parties are outlawed. On 14 November, King Mswati III named Themba Dlamini as prime minister.

2004 In January, King Mswati ordered nine new palaces to be built to house nine wives, at a cost of US$14.5 million.

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