The most big-hearted of nations is also one of the smallest on the African continent. The Kingdom of Eswatini is arguably the best place to experience some fascinating cultural activities. Being one of the three remaining monarchies in Africa (the other two being Morocco and Lesotho), both the monarchy and the people of Eswaitini actively maintain and preserve a remarkable cultural heritage. Home of the famous Umhlanga (reed dance ceremony) and Incwala (first fruits festival) involving tens of thousands of locals, visitors can get a real taste of traditional African culture. Nothing has been resuscitated simply for the sake of the tourist dollar. In fact, traditional attire, ceremonies and dancing are to be found throughout the country all-year round. A great place to partake of the Eswatini culture is Manzini, covering the cool and mountainous Highveld, the Middleveld, and the hot and dry Lowveld. Its highland areas include the forestry town of Mhlambanyatsi and the beautiful Ngwempisi Gorge cutting through the Ntfungulu Hills. The rural Malkerns area is best known for the amazing Malandela’s Centre: an eclectic mix of handcrafts, accommodation, food and a unique performance arena. Nearby, the Swazi Candles Centre offers another place to see the country’s expert handicrafts, while the Summerfield Botanical Garden is an oasis of natural beauty. In contrast, Manzini is a bustling town that lies right next to Matsapha—the country’s main industrial area and location of the main airport.
MALANDELA’S CENTRE
Located in the Malkerns Valley, Malandela’s Centre is a uniquely creative venue offering experiences that inspire the imagination and refresh the spirit. It offers everything from quality food at the farmhouse restaurant and country pub, great shopping, to a world-class entertainment venue and accommodation with acres of sun-kissed sugar cane fields and mountains as backdrop.
MANZINI
Also known as The Hub of Eswatini, Manzini was previously named Bremersdorp after the entrepreneur Albert Bremer, who arrived there in the 1880s during the concessions period. Because he operated his farm and trading store near the river, the Locals, with typical humor, dubbed his place kaManzini (at the water).Bremersdorp was the country’s capital before the present Mbabane. Manzini is home to the Mavuso Trade Centre,where the annual Eswatini International Trade Fair and other major promotional events and exhibitions take place.Adjacent to this are a sports arena and football stadium. The city provides excellent shopping in three large malls.There’s a wide choice of hotels and restaurants, includingThe George Hotel near the city centre, which offers excellent facilities for both business and pleasure. Global Village is a luxurious guesthouse set in the tranquil suburbof Madonsa near the Manzini Golf Club. The city captures the essence of Eswatini life in its casual pace and informal, friendly attitude. And in this way, the years of change havenot altered it much at all.
MALKERNS
Continuing along the old main road from Matsapha, you’ll arrive at Mahlanya, a large fruit and vegetable market on the right. The road to the left leads to the rural town of Malkerns, which lies in a lush and beautiful valley of fertile farmland where sugarcane and pineapples grow, with views of distant mountains. This seemingly sleepy area belies its vibrancy, and there’s much to attract both tourists and locals. There are wonderful craft shops, including outlets selling locally made decorative candles, basketware and batik work. There are several quality guesthouses if you want to stay in the area and drink in the atmosphere.
MHLAMBANYATSI
Visitors could be forgiven for thinking the quiet andcharming village of Mhlambanyatsi—which lies to the west of the Hhohho region—has been lifted straight out of England. It was founded during the mid-1950s, following the establishment of the Usutu Forest, which is one of the largest man-made forests in the world. Nearby Bhunya to the south is the site of the defunct mill that processed the pine trees into kraft pulp; it’s now being revived with substantial investment and, among other activities, supplies the forestry processing industryin Eswatini. The main hotel in the area is the Foresters Arms Hotel, which offers a wonderful ‘olde English’ ambience together with excellent food (including its famous Sunday barbecue buffet) and friendly, personal service.
MATSAPHA AND SUMMERFIELD LUXURY RESORT & BOTANICAL GARDEN
The route from Manzini to Matsapha is along the MR3 highway, and you can’t miss the vast industrial area on the left with its factories, warehouses and shopping centers. Leave the highway at the industrial site (don’t take the flyover), and at the roundabout branch to the left and travel along the road until you reach the quarry. There’s a turning to the left, and signage will take you to the unique Summerfield Luxury Resort & Botanical Garden; it comprises a restaurant and well-appointed accommodation with water features, lifelike model animals, and a profusion of exotic and indigenous trees and shrubs including protected ancient cycads. The botanical garden lies close to the banks of the Bobokazi River and is situated in the Nokwane Valley: renowned for its scenic beauty, spectacular rock formations and majestic mountain range. This idyllic setting—with panoramic, unbroken views of the surrounding countryside—sits proudly against the backdrop of fertile cultivated agricultural lands.
NGWEMPISI WILDERNESS AREA
Just one hour’s drive south of Mbabane through the fertile and beautiful Malkerns Valley to Mankayane (one of Eswatini’s oldest towns) takes you to a ruggedly beautiful area. The
Ngwempisi River has sliced its way through the sandstone and shale of the Ntfungulu Hills to create the Ngwempisi Gorge, a land where middleveld and lowveld savannah typify the eco region. Here, flatlands and undulating hills range from a mere 50m to 800m above sea level. This is an example of the diverse geology prevalent in Eswatini that makes it the strikingly beautiful country it is—and ensures hiking is always a challenging and satisfying experience.
SWAZI CANDLES CENTRE
This popular tourist spot, the Swazi Candles Centre, consists of a cluster of handicraft outlets around the showroom and workshop of Swazi Candles, a successful local enterprise that today exports candles worldwide. Inside the workshop you can watch the candle-makers shaping and coloring their creations. Their technique, known as millefiore (’thousand flowers’), was developed centuries ago by Venetian glass blowers and has transferred seamlessly to wax. A hard veneer means that the lit candles melt only on the inside, creating a translucent stained-glass window effect for the luminous colors. Numerous products are for sale.
There’s also a handicraft market under large trees. It’s a delightful place in which to wander around, watching artisans making products, shopping for the best handcrafts and designs that Eswatini has to offer, and stopping for a coffee or lunch.
SEE THE SITES
• Eswatini Tourism Authority www.thekingdomofswaziland.com