About the People
Population
1.1 million, according to the Eswatini Population and Housing Census of 2017, and announced in Parliament on 1 March 2018: the outcome reflected an increase of almost 75 000 persons (0.7 percent) in the preceding decade. Of the country’s four official regions, Manzini is the most populous, followed closely by Hhohho. Three quarters of Emaswati live in rural surrounds.
Language
English and SiSwati are the official languages, with the former most widely used in business and commerce.
Religion
Majority Christian, plus indigenous beliefs and small representations of other major world faiths.
The Weather
Climate
Eswatini’s predominant summer rainfall season between October and March is characterised by occasional heavy downpours.
Highveld: Humid near-temperate with approx 140 cm mean average rainfall. Midwinter (July) temperatures known to fall as low as –3°C.
Middleveld: Subtropical, drier with approx 85 cm mean average rainfall.
Lubombo Plateau: Also subtropical with similar rainfall statistic.
Lowveld: Almost-tropical sub-humid with approx 60 cm mean average rainfall. Midsummer (January) temperatures known to reach 42°C.
Average Temperatures
Midsummer (January)
Mbabane 25°C, Manzini 30°C
Autumn (April-May)
Mbabane 20°C, Manzini 25°C
Midwinter (July)
Mbabane 15°C, Manzini 20°C
Spring (Sept-Oct)
Mbabane 22°C, Manzini 25°C
1.1 million, according to the Eswatini Population and Housing Census of 2017, and announced in Parliament on 1 March 2018: the outcome reflected an increase of almost 75 000 persons (0.7 percent) in the preceding decade. Of the country’s four official regions, Manzini is the most populous, followed closely by Hhohho. Three quarters of Emaswati live in rural surrounds.
Language
English and SiSwati are the official languages, with the former most widely used in business and commerce.
Religion
Majority Christian, plus indigenous beliefs and small representations of other major world faiths.
Public Holidays
1 January New Year’s Day
19 April King’s Birthday
19 April Good Friday
22 April Easter Monday
25 April National Flag Day
1 May Labour Day
30 May Ascension Day
22 July King Sobhuza II’s Birthday
Aug/Sept (tba) Umhlanga Reed Dance
6 September Somhlolo (Independence) Day
25 December Christmas Day
26 December Boxing Day
Dec/Jan (tba) Incwala Day
Government / useful contacts
Government/useful contacts
King’s Office, Lobamba 2510 1082
Parliament Offices 2416 2410
Prime Minister’s Office 2404 2251/2/3
Agriculture & Cooperatives 2404 2731
Central Bank of Eswatini 2408 1000
Commerce, Industry & Trade 2404 3201
Economic Planning & Dev. 2404 3765/6/7
Education and Training 2404 2491
Finance 2404 8145
Foreign Affairs 2404 2661/2/3
Health & Social Welfare 2404 2431
Home Affairs 2404 2941/2
Housing & Urban Dev. 2404 1741
Information, Communications
& Technology 2405 4000
Justice and Constitutional Affairs 2404 6010
Natural Resources & Energy 2404 6244/5/6
Public Service 2404 4438
Public Works & Transport 2409 9000
SEDCO 2404 3046
SIDC 2404 3391
EIPA 2404 0470/4
Eswatini Revenue Authority 2406 4000
Eswatini Tourism Authority 2404 9675/93
Eswatini Tourist Office 2404 2531
Tourism & Environmental Affairs 2404 6420
International Organisations
European Union 2404 2908
ESAMI 2404 8494
FAO 2404 7220
UNDP 2404 2301
UNICEF 2407 1000
World Food Programme 2404 4962
World Health Organisation WHO 2404 2928
Professional Organisations
Federation of Swaziland Employers 2404 0768
Eswatini Chamber of Commerce 2404 4408
Eswatini Institute of Accountants 2404 5566
Diplomatic Representatives
Embassy of United States of America 2404 6441
Embassy of Republic of China (Taiwan) 2404 2379
South African High Commission 2404 4651
Republic of Mocambique High Commission 2404 3700
British Honorary Consulate 2404 3469
Cyprus Consulate 2404 2650
Federal Republic of Germany 2404 3174
Finland Honorary Consulate 2416 2912
France Consulate 2404 3667
Indonesia Consulate 2404 0606
Italy Consulate 2404 4371
Portugal Consulate 2404 6780
Embassy of Qatar 2416 1580
Royal Danish/Norwegian Consulate 2404 3547
Seychelles Consulate 2505 2415
South Korea Consulate 2404 6379