| Environment
Natural disasters
Since the 1980's, disasters occurring in Swaziland have been more
frequent. Disasters that have occurred include; cyclones; storms;
heavy rains; floods and drought. There is potential for other hazards
to cause disasters in the future, with Global Warming being one of
the issues attributing to future natural disasters.
Deforestation
Deforestation - The periodic presence of the El Nino Southern oscillation
in the Pacific Ocean is bringing more metrological weather extremes.
Rapid population growth is causing stress on limited land resources.
Burning of grass and forests fires put additional stress on vegetation
leading to reduced capacity of land to withstand heavy rains.
Population
The population of Swaziland according to 1997’s Census is approximately
929 728 people. The population growth rate is 1.63%, HIV/AIDS statistics
shows that 38.4% pregnant women tested positive. Swaziland's official
languages are English & siSwazti. About seventy percent of the
population age 15 and over can read and write.
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Culture
Swazi old traditions are carefully guarded and colourful ceremonies
frequently take place to mark special occasions. The two main cultural
rituals are Umhlanga or reed dance, and the Incwala, or first fruits
ceremony. The Umhlanga which takes place during August or September
involves unmarried maidens who as part of the ceremony gather umhlanga/reeds,
which are used to make and repair screens around royal residences.
It is from this custom that the ceremony derives its name. The end
of the ceremony is marked by the performance of traditional dances
by the maidens.
Much of the Incwala involves involves sacred rites. The event is marked
by His Majesty the Ngwenyama’s retiring into seclusion , away
from public engagements for a several weeks. The Incwala ceremony
takes place during December and January with dates selected by astrologers
who monitor the moon phases to determine the ideal time. This cultural
ceremony is made up of a series of activities. The ceremony begins
with a journey to collect water from the Indian Ocean. On the return
of the men from collecting this water, unmarried young men called
tingaja are commissioned to collect a sacred shrub called lusekwane
from the east of the country. The lusekwane is used for repairing
the royal cattle byre. After the delivery of the lusekwane to the
royal residence, the tingaja participate in the killing of the bull
where a group of young men undertake to kill a bull using their bare
fists.(An event comparable to the Spanish Bull Fight). The following
day, the Ngwenyama appears in full ceremonial dress, dances with the
warriors. He later on partakes of the first fruits of the season with
the rest of the nation. This event marks the end of the thanksgiving
ceremony for the new season.
Although western dress is widely utilized, the Swazi have a distinctive,
colorful national dress known as emahiya and this is regularly worn
with different accessories and head dresses used, depending on the
status and age of the individual, as well as the occasion. Traditionally,
Swaziland is a polygamous society and men may take several wives on
payment of a dowry, known as Lobola, which normally entails giving
cattle to the brides' parents. However, monogamous marriages, performed
in the western custom, have become more common as Swazis adapt to
and adopt aspects of the western life style. However, the cultural
heritage is deeply rooted with traditions carefully protected and
sustained.
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---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Agriculture
Cereal Production
Because maize is the staple food of the Swazi people, it is the most
important crop and is often grown by small subsistence farmers who
have no access to irrigation. Thus production fluctuates steeply depending
on climatic conditions. Maize growing by local farmers is actively
encouraged with promotions such as the National Maize Competition.
During recent years production has been negatively affected by the
crop's dependence on rainfall. However, the Maguga Dam and later the
Lower Usutu Basin development should solve this problem.
Despite being an ideal crop for the drier areas of the country, sorghum
production has been declining. The decline is attributed to the fact
that most Swazis prefer other cereals, despite efforts to cultivate
and consume it as an alternative food source. Rice production was
insignificant. Although wheat is not widely grown in the country,
the Malkerns Research Station and Ngwane Mills have established its
viability as a rotational crop on irrigated land during the dry season
but while there is potential for small scale commercial growing.
To guarantee an all year round competitive market for Swazi cereals,
especially maize. To reduce marketing barriers and costs to Swazi
farmers by improving cereal marketing and logistics services (through
running silos efficiently, registration of producers, provision of
drying and shelling services, and dissemination). To guarantee all
year round supplies of cereals at a reasonable cost to the nation.
To increase the efficiently of the cereal market in Swaziland by promoting
the availability of cereals especially (white maize) to consumers
at a reasonable cost in all regions of the country.
Milk Production
During 1999/2000 the effective demand for dairy products was 63.9
million litres in liquid milk equivalents (LME), while milk production
from the local dairy herd was about 11.54 million litres. The deficit
of 52.36 million litres was covered by imports of dairy products and
milk form other local sources. Future prospects for local milk production
are good following the deregulation of dairy product prices, which
is expected to be an incentive to local farmers and other key players
in the industry.
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Livestock and Poultry
Beef
Cattle comprise the largest component of Swaziland's livestock
population. The traditional belief that they represent wealth has
hampered beef production and caused serious problems of overgrazing
and soil erosion, necessitating a government policy to commercialize
the national herd, supported by Swaziland Meat Industries who run
the EU standard abattoir. Thus more farmers are selling their animals
at the ideal age instead of keeping them long after they have lost
their commercial value.
Pork
The pork abattoir and processing plant
at Simunye is owned by SMI and supplies the bulk of Swaziland's pork
requirements, together with a number of smaller producers. Like beef,
pork production is actively encouraged and significant steps have
been taken by government, in conjunction with Simunye Pork, to help
with the establishment of smallholder pig production schemes. Farmers
are educated and assisted in all aspects of pig farming, including
the ideal breeding stock to purchase, and the abattoir will purchase
pigs for slaughter from these producers. Both fresh and processed
pork products are widely available.
Poultry and Eggs
Until a decade ago, the poultry market
was almost completely dominated by South Africa. Today, with encouragement
from government and commercial operations, it is one of the fastest
growing agricultural sub-sectors, providing many income-generating
opportunities. There are about 800 producers in the country, including
small farmers working in cooperative groups to large concerns supplying
around 20,000 chickens a week. The largest abattoir and processor
supplies about 80,000 chickens a week - about 60% of the local requirement
and in just four years up to 2000, Swaziland became self-sufficient
in chickens. Egg production is also growing and local farmers are
increasingly producing quality eggs at competitive prices. The interests
of the industry are looked after by the Swaziland Poultry Producers
Association.
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Regions
Hhohho
Hhohho is situated in the north of Swaziland. The Capital town of
hhohho is also the capital city of Swaziland, Mbabane. Mbabane is
the commercial hub of the northern region of the country. The population
of the region is approximately 255 455, split up between the rural
population of 186 884 and an urban population of 68 561. Hhohho consists
of 14 Tinkhundla with an indvuna for each Inkhundla.
Manzini
Manzini is situated in the west of Swaziland. The capital city of
Mbabane is situated in the Hhohho Region. Manzini is the capital hub
of the country. Its rural population is 187 067 and it has an urban
population of 93 905 people.
Shiselweni
Shiselweni is found in the south of Swaziland. Nhlangano is a town
in the Shiselweni Region and serves as a regional public service centre
and a commercial and industrial hub of the region. The population
of the region is estimated at 198 978 people. 189 245 of those live
in rural shiselweni, while 9 733 live around the towns. Shiselweni
has 14 Tinkhundla under it.
Lubombo
Lubombo is found to the east of the country, with a sub tropical climate.
Siteki serves as a regional public service town. The lubombo is used
for farming sugarcane. Towns like Bigbend, simunye and mhlume are
the largest sugarcane farming’s in the country. The total population
of the region is 194 323. Lubombo has a rural population of 152 094
and an urban population of 42 229, which a majority of the people
are working at the sugarcane mills. The Lubombo region consists of
11 Tinkhundla.
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Economic
In this small landlocked economy, subsistence agriculture occupies
more than 80% of the population. Manufacturing features a number of
agro-processing factories. Mining has declined in importance in recent
years: diamond mines have shut down because of the depletion of easily
accessible reserves; high-grade iron ore deposits were depleted by
1978; and health concerns have cut world demand for asbestos. Exports
of soft drink concentrate, sugar, and wood pulp are the main earners
of hard currency.
Surrounded by South Africa, except for a short border with Mozambique,
Swaziland is heavily dependent on South Africa from which it receives
nine-tenths of its imports and to which it sends more than two-thirds
of its exports. Remittances from the Southern African Customs Union
and Swazi workers in South African mines 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. Prospects
for 2002 are strengthened by the country's status as a beneficiary
of the US African Growth and Opportunity Act initiative.
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For more information on Swaziland contact:
Lolo Mkhabela, UNDP
Tel: 405-0651 or Email: lolo.mkhabela@undp.org
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