September 6: Swaziland Independence Day

Swaziland Independence day is today. Some things you might not know about Swaziland. 

1. Swaziland is the smallest country in Africa, and in the southern hemisphere. It is 200km from North to South, and 130km across, with an measuring an area of 17,000km², roughly the size of Wales. As it is landlocked, it has no maritime claims.
2. It is one of the few absolute monarchies in the world and the king is Mswati III. The King rules in conjunction with his mother and appoints a prime minister, and some members of parliament, though he still wields executive power. He was born in 1968 and was given the name Makhosetive, meaning “Kings of Nations.” He was crowned king in 1986 at the age of 18, making him the youngest ruling monarch in the world at that time. He has 15 wives, the most recent being a 19-year-old virgin named Sindi, who he spotted at the annual reed dance ceremony.
3. Umhlanga, or Reed Dance ceremony, is an annual Swazi and Zulu cultural event. It is a festival of chastity (if any girl taking part breaks this rule, her family will have to pay a fine - traditionally a Cow) and tribute labour for the Queen Mother - a part of the ceremony involves cutting reeds which are used to mend holes in her fence - and finally the young women dress up in traditional costume and dance.
4. Another annual ritual is Incwala, a kingship ritual, focusing on the king sampling the first harvest. This can only happen when there is a king, and if anyone else holds an Incwala it is seen as an act of high treason. Some high-ranking officials are required to stay away because their presence may be seen as a challenge to the King.
5. Swaziland has two capital cities - Lobamba (royal/legislative) and Mbabane (administrative). Neither is the largest city - this is Mbabane.
6. The lowest point is the Great Usutu River, at 21 metres, and the highest is Emlembe, at 1,862 m.
7. The currency is the Lilangeni, which is pegged to the South African Rand.
8. The official languages are SiSwati and English.
9. The flag consists of two blue stripes top and bottom, and a red stripe in the middle bordered above and below by two narrow Yellow stripes. The emblem in the centre of the red stripe depicts an ox hide combat shield from the traditional Swazi Emasotsha Regiment, as well as their assegais or spears, a Swazi fighting stick and three royal Swazi ornamental tassels called tinjobo, which are made from widow bird and loury feathers.
10. The country's motto is "Siyinqaba" which translates as "We are a fortress", "We are a mystery/riddle" or "We hide ourselves away".

My Books

As well as this blog, I also write fiction and have published two novels (Death and Faxes and Glastonbury Swan) and a collection of short stories (Jigsaw). If you like ghost stories, crime stories, a bit of romance and anything slightly bizarre you might enjoy them. 

Further details on my books page