Heavy
09-22-2003, 02:45 PM
Swaziland is one of the world's last remaining absolute monarchies, with the king ruling by decree over his million subjects who live mainly in rural areas and maintain traditional ways of life.
The power of the throne, however, has not gone unchallenged.
King Mswati III, on the throne since 1986, is upholding the tradition of his father, King Sobhuza II, who reigned for almost 61 years and is believed to have had more than 60 wives.
Sobhuza scrapped the constitution in 1973 and banned political parties.
OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW | FACTS | LEADERS | MEDIA
King Mswati has shown no enthusiasm for sharing power, but illegal opposition parties and trade unions have been vocal in their demands for greater democracy and limits on the king's power.
With peaceful change in neighbouring South Africa and Mozambique, Swaziland has been described as an island of dictatorship in a sea of democracy.
Royalists argue that democracy creates division, and that a king is a strong unifying force.
Swaziland is virtually homogenous, most of the population being of the same tribe. Economically, the country is heavily dependent on South Africa, which receives almost half of Swazi exports and supplies nine-tenths of its imports.
Aids is taking a heavy toll with nearly 40% of the population believed infected with HIV. Life expectancy has plummeted as a result. Many Swazis live in chronic poverty and food shortages are widespread.
FACTS
OVERVIEW | FACTS | LEADERS | MEDIA
SWAZILAND FACTS
Population: 1 million (UN, 2003)
Capital: Mbabane
Major languages: Swazi, English (both official)
Major religions: Christianity, indigenous beliefs
Life expectancy: 33 years (men), 35 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 Lilangeni = 100 cents
Main exports: Sugar, wood pulp, minerals
Average annual income: US $1,300 (World Bank, 2001)
Internet domain: .sz
International dialling code: +268
LEADERS
King: Mswati III
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/1065000/images/_1069035_swazi_king_reuters.jpg
Born in 1968, King Mswati III was crowned in 1986 at the age of 18, replacing his father King Sobhuza II, who died at the age of 82 as the world's longest reigning monarch.
The king often appears in public in traditional dress and has several wives. He rules by decree and has been criticised for heavy-handed treatment of opponents.
_________________________________________
State control of the media is strong. The government controls all radio and TV stations with the exception of a Christian radio station.
Freedom of expression in the press is seriously restricted and journalists at the country's only private daily are frequently harassed. Criticism of the monarchy is banned and self-censorship is common.
The press
The Times of Swaziland - privately-owned daily
The Swazi Observer
Television
Swazi TV - operated by state-run Swaziland Television Authority
Radio
Swaziland Broadcasting and Information Service - state-run operator of three channels: The Siswati Channel, The English Channel and The Information Service
Trans World Radio - US-based evangelistic broadcaster uses transmitters in Swaziland for regional broadcasts
<img src="http://scripts.cgispy.com/image.cgi?u=JohneeWadd">
A proportionate amount of props are equally distributed to my nigga's Fluff, Alexxis, CanOfSoup15, WWFallon and Katylina
The power of the throne, however, has not gone unchallenged.
King Mswati III, on the throne since 1986, is upholding the tradition of his father, King Sobhuza II, who reigned for almost 61 years and is believed to have had more than 60 wives.
Sobhuza scrapped the constitution in 1973 and banned political parties.
OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW | FACTS | LEADERS | MEDIA
King Mswati has shown no enthusiasm for sharing power, but illegal opposition parties and trade unions have been vocal in their demands for greater democracy and limits on the king's power.
With peaceful change in neighbouring South Africa and Mozambique, Swaziland has been described as an island of dictatorship in a sea of democracy.
Royalists argue that democracy creates division, and that a king is a strong unifying force.
Swaziland is virtually homogenous, most of the population being of the same tribe. Economically, the country is heavily dependent on South Africa, which receives almost half of Swazi exports and supplies nine-tenths of its imports.
Aids is taking a heavy toll with nearly 40% of the population believed infected with HIV. Life expectancy has plummeted as a result. Many Swazis live in chronic poverty and food shortages are widespread.
FACTS
OVERVIEW | FACTS | LEADERS | MEDIA
SWAZILAND FACTS
Population: 1 million (UN, 2003)
Capital: Mbabane
Major languages: Swazi, English (both official)
Major religions: Christianity, indigenous beliefs
Life expectancy: 33 years (men), 35 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 Lilangeni = 100 cents
Main exports: Sugar, wood pulp, minerals
Average annual income: US $1,300 (World Bank, 2001)
Internet domain: .sz
International dialling code: +268
LEADERS
King: Mswati III
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/1065000/images/_1069035_swazi_king_reuters.jpg
Born in 1968, King Mswati III was crowned in 1986 at the age of 18, replacing his father King Sobhuza II, who died at the age of 82 as the world's longest reigning monarch.
The king often appears in public in traditional dress and has several wives. He rules by decree and has been criticised for heavy-handed treatment of opponents.
_________________________________________
State control of the media is strong. The government controls all radio and TV stations with the exception of a Christian radio station.
Freedom of expression in the press is seriously restricted and journalists at the country's only private daily are frequently harassed. Criticism of the monarchy is banned and self-censorship is common.
The press
The Times of Swaziland - privately-owned daily
The Swazi Observer
Television
Swazi TV - operated by state-run Swaziland Television Authority
Radio
Swaziland Broadcasting and Information Service - state-run operator of three channels: The Siswati Channel, The English Channel and The Information Service
Trans World Radio - US-based evangelistic broadcaster uses transmitters in Swaziland for regional broadcasts
<img src="http://scripts.cgispy.com/image.cgi?u=JohneeWadd">
A proportionate amount of props are equally distributed to my nigga's Fluff, Alexxis, CanOfSoup15, WWFallon and Katylina