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Eswatini is a small kingdom, formerly known as Swaziland until 2018, ~ and the world's last absolute monarchy ~ surrounded by South Africa to the north, west and south and Mozambique to the east with a population of 1.148 million (2019) and is ranked in 138th place out of 189 countries and territories in 2019 based upon the life expectancy, literacy, access to knowledge and living standards of a country. It gained
its independence in 1968 from the United Kingdom and while levels of poverty and living standards in Eswatini are above other sub-Saharan countries, that fact belies a terrible truth ~ that Eswatini dying. Literally. And it's
because of HIV/AIDS which is rampant in the country infecting
half of the young population and reaching 50% for the 20-30yr age group ~
those of child bearing age. In fact as a result of AIDS the country's population is dropping by 2% every year and is likely to reach a critical point within the next generation when it ceases to be viable as a state with insufficient doctors, medical staff,
teachers etc to run it and meet its needs.
Eswatini is ruled by King Mswati
III, the world's last absolute monarch, who has ruled by decree since 1986
and who has continued to ban political parties after his father, King Sobhuza,
dissolved the constitution in 1973, however
there is growing unrest and demand for political reform, frequently stalled by
the ruling elite. Recently the king's appointed
prime minister Prime Minister, Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini, has said that the
government will consider using 'sipakatane' to "punish dissidents and
foreigners who come to the country and disturb the peace" (this being a form of
torture where the feet are repeatedly hit with nail embedded rods.) With a life
expectancy of 60.19 years (2019), there are an estimated 100,000 orphans in the
country (10% of its overall population) and this is likely to increase given the
levels of HIV/AIDS. These children
are the ones most likely to drop out of school, be trafficked and suffer even
more than others from poverty and malnutrition ~ which already affects 40% of
children in Eswatini.
Education for
children in Eswatini however fares somewhat better, although it is not
compulsory, nor free except for orphans and certain other disadvantaged
children. Enrolment is high and over 80% of the population is literate. Unfortunately
child trafficking is widespread with children trafficked internally and to other
countries. For girls this mainly includes domestic servitude and sexual
exploitation whilst for boys the trafficking is normally for forced labour and
begging or selling in markets. Despite its small size, Eswatini
has eighteen airports, over 2000 miles of highways but just 187 miles of
railway. With both English and siSwati as its official languages, its population
is 97% African and 3% European with 40% being Zionist, 20% Roman Catholic and
just 10% Muslim with other religions such as Methodists, Anglicans, Mormons and
Jews comprising the remaining 30%. Find out more about Eswatini in the profile
articles below exploring the kingdom in more detail with pictures, facts and
videos.
Eswatini Profile: Volunteer in Eswatini (Swaziland)
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Eswatini Profile: Eswatini History
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Eswatini Profile: Life in Eswatini
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Eswatini Profile: Children in Eswatini
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Eswatini Profile: Eswatini Images
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Eswatini Profile: Mbabane Profile
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Eswatini Profile: Eswatini Quiz
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Eswatini Profile: Sponsor Children in Eswatini (Swaziland)
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Eswatini Profile: Eswatini Map
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Eswatini Profile: Eswatini News
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