BRIEF HISTORY
1
The Kingdom of Swaziland is a small landlocked country bordered by South
Africa on the North, West and Southern part, by Mozambique on the eastern part.
Swaziland has a Monarch who is also Head of State. His Majesty Mswati III. He rules
in consultation with Cabinet and a twoChamber Parliament made up of the Senate and
House of Assembly. There are other advisory structures which handle and advise on
matters of culture., tradition and custom or any other matters referred to them by the
King.
2. The Kingdom of Swaziland is made up of four regions, administered by Regional
Administrators and Regional Secretaries. The Central Government Ministries -are
represented in the Regional Administrative structures. The smallest administrative
structure is called the local Government constituency (Inkhundla) which forms an
important link between regions and communities. There are 55 such Tinkhundla
responsible for political and socioeconomic development, in the country each covers a
number of chiefdoms.
3
The 1997 preliminary population census placed Swaziland's population at
965,859. It is predominantly a young population with 47% between the ages of
0-15 years. Fertility ratio is estimated to be 6:1 with a population growth of
2.7% per annum. The indigenous population speaks one language, SiSwati, but
English is also widely spoken with both English and SiSwati being the official
languages. Adult literacy is also high around 80.8% for males and 78.4% for
females.
2