Contributions by Joyceline.
Facts you may not have know about Tanzania:
Tanzania, officially the United Republic of Tanzania, is a sovereign state in eastern Africa, within the African Great Lakes region. The country gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1961, becoming Tanganyika, and has a population of over 55 million people.
Since 1996, its official capital city has been Dodoma, where the President’s office, the National Assembly, and some government ministries are located. Dar es Salaam, the former capital, retains most government offices, and is the country’s largest city, principal port, and leading commercial center.
Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, is in north-eastern Tanzania, and is a popular destination for explorers.
1. When you first meet someone, how do you greet them?
When meeting someone, common greetings are “Mambo!” or “Jambo!” Alternatively, out of respect for younger or elderly people, a greeting of “Shikamoo” is also common.
2. What languages are spoken in the country?
While there are no official languages, Kiswahili is the national language. Swahili is used in parliamentary debate, in the lower courts, and as a medium of instruction in primary school. English is used in foreign trade, in diplomacy, in higher courts, and as a medium of instruction in secondary and higher education.
More than 100 languages are spoken in Tanzania, making it the most linguistically diverse country in East Africa. Among the languages spoken are all four of Africa’s language families: Bantu, Cushitic, Nilotic, and Khoisan.
3. Do you use a twelve hour clock, or a twenty-four hour clock?
We use a 12-hour clock.
4. What side of the road do people drive on? What do we need to know about driving in the country?
We drive on the left side of the road. Roads are generally in poor conditions. Most transport in Tanzania is by road, with road transport constituting over 75 percent of the country’s freight traffic, and 80 percent of its passenger traffic.
5. How important is punctuality?
Punctuality is not of utmost importance in Tanzania, with many people often running late. Despite this, productivity is high.
6. Which types of music are popular? Who are some of the most popular musicians?
Hip hop and gospel music are both popular. With a fusion of local and foreign music traditions, Tanzanian musicians have grown in prominence within the African Great Lakes region. Popular musicians include Dionys Mbilinyi, Sabinus Komba, John Lisu, Paul Clement, and Christina Shusho.
For a taste of Tanzanian music, listen to Christina Shusho’s Ninanga’ra, and Paul Clement’s Namba Moja.
7. Are there any Traditional Dances?
In many areas in Tanzania, dance and drums are used as part of celebrations, and is seen by some as a way to preserve important parts of the country’s history and traditions.
For an example of Tanzanian Haya dancing, click here. The Haya area group of people residing in northwestern Tanzania.
8. What traditional Festivals are celebrated in the country?
Bagamoyo Festival of Arts and Culture is a seven-day event that is held in Bagamoyo, Tanzania. It features music, dance, drama, acrobatics and many other arts related activities. It takes place every year at the end of September.
First run in 2003, the legendary East African Safari Classic Rally is a nine-day rally covering up to 5,000 kilometres through Kenya and Tanzania. Safari Classic rekindles the spirit of the original Safari Rally, which put East Africa on the motorsport map and earned an unassailable reputation as the world’s toughest rally.
The Wanyambo Festival is one of the best opportunities to check out the local culture of Tanzania in early January. The event is staged in the northern area of Dar es Salaam known as Makumbusho, with lots of traditional music, dance, costumes, and food.
The Marahaba Swahili Music Festival is a festival which happens annually in the city of Dar es Salaam since 2012. It offers a platform for local unknown and popular musicians/bands and cultural troupes to showcase their musicianship, artistry and the rich cultural music of Tanzania.
9. What are the seasons like?
Climate varies greatly within Tanzania. In the highlands, temperatures range between 10 and 20 °C (50 and 68 °F) during cold and hot seasons respectively. The rest of the country has temperatures rarely falling lower than 20 °C (68 °F).
The north and east of Tanzania experience two distinct wet periods – the short rains (Vuli) in October to December, and the long rains (Masika) from March to May. The southern, western, and central parts of the country experience one wet season that continues October through to April or May.
10. What are some interesting facts about the President?
Dr John Joseph Magufuli has been Tanzania’s President since 2015. He is the Chairman of the center-left Chama Cha Mapinduzi party, and previously served as a member of the Tanzanian Cabinet, since 1995. Before politics, he taught chemistry and mathematics at The Sengerema Secondary School, and was subsequently an industrial chemist at The Nyanza Cooperative Union Limited.
11. What are the country’s major industries?
The Tanzanian economy is heavily based on agriculture, which in 2013 accounted for just under a quarter of the country’s GDP.
Industry and construction is a major and growing component of the Tanzanian economy. This component includes mining and quarrying, manufacturing, electricity and natural gas, water supply, and construction.
Tourism, banking, and telecommunications sectors are also strong components of the Tanzanian economy.
12. How do people spend their free time?
Many Tanzanians are social, enjoying spending time with their family and friends, and may come to visit without notice.
13. What do people drink?
Mbenge, Kibuku, and Mulamba are popular among Tanzanians.
14. What is a popular local dish?
Ugali (maize meal) – a type of porridge – is very popular. It can be served with fish, beans, or fruit, as well as plain yogurt.
Tanzanian cuisine is both unique and widely varied. Along the coastal regions (Dar es Salaam, Tanga, Bagamoyo, Zanzibar, and Pemba), spicy foods are common, and there is also much use of coconut milk. Regions in Tanzania’s mainland also have their own unique foods. Some typical mainland Tanzanian foods include wali (rice), ugali (maize porridge), chapati (a kind of bread), nyama choma (grilled meat), mshikaki (marinated beef), samaki (fish), pilau, biriyani, and ndizi-nyama (plantains with meat).
Vegetables commonly used in Tanzania include bamia (okra), mchicha (a kind of spinach), njegere (green peas), maharage (beans), and kisamvu (cassava leaves). Tanzania grows at least 17 different types of bananas which is used for soup, stew, and chips.
Famous Tanzanian snack foods include maandazi (fried dough), isheti, kashata (coconut bars), kabaab (kebab), sambusa (samosa), mkate wa kumimina (Zanzibari rice bread), vileja, vitumbua (rice patties), bagia, and many others.
15. What do you pay, on average, for the following? (1 USD = approx. TZS 2,284)
Milk (1 liter): TZS 9,000
Coca cola (330 ml): TZS 1,100
Cup of coffee: TZS 4,000
3 Course meal: TZS 34,000
Domestic beer: TZS 2,500
Loaf of bread: TZS 1,300
Apples (1 kg): 6,000
16. Any general safety tips?
Don’t walk around alone late at night, and maintain awareness even during the day.
If possible, use a more concealed, smaller bag, rather than a large backpack.
Keep a means of contact, such as a cell phone, on you at all times.
17. In conclusion, famous (and sometimes infamous) people from the country include:
Filbert Bayi, a former Tanzanian middle-distance runner of the 1970s who set the world records for 1500 metres in 1974 and the mile in 1975. He is still the 1500 m Commonwealth Games record holder.
Julius Nyerere, a Tanzanian anti-colonial activist, politician, and political theorist. He governed Tanganyika as its Prime Minister from 1961 to 1963 and then as its President from 1963 to 1964, after which he led its successor state, Tanzania, as its President from 1964 until 1985. He was a founding member of the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) party and later a member of the Chama Cha Mapinduzi party. Ideologically an African nationalist and African socialist, he promoted a political philosophy known as Ujamaa.
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, and Remuneration needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14], [15]. Image sources: Antônio Soletti (Unsplash) [1].
Temporary Visas Available to South Africans in 2018: Categories and Prices
Over the years, countries around the world have changed their visa policies and rates, in accordance with many factors, such as global and local economies, political preferences, migrant crises, and tourism sector performance.
Below you can find the costs for applying for a visa in 2018 in a number of countries that are popular among temporary workers, travelers, students, and business visitors.
The below prices do not include delivery fees and other fees as part of each country’s application process.
United Kingdom (info)
The United Kingdom offers visas in a number of different categories, including Standard Visitor visas (granting entry for between 6 months and 10 years), a number of Business Visas, and a variety of Special Visitor Visas.
United States (info)
A popular class for US visas is Class B, which may grant an applicant entry into the country for up to 10 years. A variety of other temporary visas are available, each with their own periods of validity. Other classes for the US include Transit, Study, and Work.
New Zealand (info)
Outside of its temporary visa class, which may grant an individual entry for up to 9 months, New Zealand has a Limited Visa class. With a Limited Visa, you can visit New Zealand temporarily, to achieve an express purpose. Once you’ve achieved your purpose, you must leave New Zealand. You can’t usually apply for other visas while in New Zealand on a Limited Visa, although you may be granted another Limited Visa in keeping with a need to spend more time in the country for the express purpose that the initial visa was granted for.
Australia (info)
Australia offers temporary visas across a number of categories. These include Tourist and Business Visitors, Working Holidays, Medical Treatment, Transit, Student, Training, and Temporary Work Sponsorship. Online applications are available through the government’s ImmiAccount system.
Approved Destination Status (ADS) is an arrangement between the Chinese Government and another country, that lets Chinese holiday travellers visit a country in a tour group.
The eVisitor program allows those with a passport in certain countries to obtain a Visit Visa for free. The list of eligible countries can be found here.
An Australian Study Visa is for those who wish to study full-time in a recognised education institution. A Training Visa is for those who wish to take part in workplace-based training to enhance their skills in their current occupation, area of tertiary study, field of expertise; or participate in a professional development training program.
A Temporary Activities Visa allows entry for specific activities, each with their own assigned duration. A list of such activities can be found here.
A Bridging Visa can be granted for someone who has applied for an associated substantive visa through ImmiAccount, for which a decision has not yet been made.
United Arab Emirates (info)
The visit visa or entry permit into the UAE requires sponsorship from a citizen, resident or investor. Nationals and residents in the UAE can apply online and acquire 90-day /30-day UAE entry permits or visit visas for their families, friends and relatives through the Ministry’s website- eServices section and the UAE-MOI app on smartphones.
If you have relatives or friends residing in the UAE, they can sponsor your non-electronic UAE visa. They can apply for your entry permit at the office of and the relevant General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) under Ministry of Interior. Its office is located in each emirate. Links to the local GDRFA offices can be found here.
Tourist visa is a special category of visa under visit visa, which could be obtained for eligible individual tourists around the world. The visa permits the holder to stay for duration of 30 days. The visa requires sponsorship of UAE airlines, hotels and tour operators who bring in visitors. The renewal and visa processing fee of tourist visas depends on travel agency that covers for you. Information about Emirates visa services can be found here, and information about Etihad visa services can be found here.
The Service Visa applies to the following categories and their families accompanying them: company manager’s representatives, sales managers, account auditors, company or establishment delegations required to carry out a commercial activity in the UAE, consultants requested by companies operating in the UAE that are required to carry out an urgent task.
Finally, the UAE’s airlines handle 4-day transit visas, valid for 14 days from the date of issue.
Shengen (info)
A Shengen visa covers members of the European Union (except the United Kingdom) and a number of other countries. Member states are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Liechtenstein. Countries including Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, and Ireland are soon to be part of the agreement.
Some tips when applying for visas include:
Happy travelling!
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, and Remuneration needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Image sources: Igor Ovsyannykov (via Unsplash) [1].
From The Hippo’s Ears: Tanzania
Contributions by Joyceline.
Facts you may not have know about Tanzania:
Tanzania, officially the United Republic of Tanzania, is a sovereign state in eastern Africa, within the African Great Lakes region. The country gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1961, becoming Tanganyika, and has a population of over 55 million people.
Since 1996, its official capital city has been Dodoma, where the President’s office, the National Assembly, and some government ministries are located. Dar es Salaam, the former capital, retains most government offices, and is the country’s largest city, principal port, and leading commercial center.
Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, is in north-eastern Tanzania, and is a popular destination for explorers.
1. When you first meet someone, how do you greet them?
When meeting someone, common greetings are “Mambo!” or “Jambo!” Alternatively, out of respect for younger or elderly people, a greeting of “Shikamoo” is also common.
2. What languages are spoken in the country?
While there are no official languages, Kiswahili is the national language. Swahili is used in parliamentary debate, in the lower courts, and as a medium of instruction in primary school. English is used in foreign trade, in diplomacy, in higher courts, and as a medium of instruction in secondary and higher education.
More than 100 languages are spoken in Tanzania, making it the most linguistically diverse country in East Africa. Among the languages spoken are all four of Africa’s language families: Bantu, Cushitic, Nilotic, and Khoisan.
3. Do you use a twelve hour clock, or a twenty-four hour clock?
We use a 12-hour clock.
4. What side of the road do people drive on? What do we need to know about driving in the country?
We drive on the left side of the road. Roads are generally in poor conditions. Most transport in Tanzania is by road, with road transport constituting over 75 percent of the country’s freight traffic, and 80 percent of its passenger traffic.
5. How important is punctuality?
Punctuality is not of utmost importance in Tanzania, with many people often running late. Despite this, productivity is high.
6. Which types of music are popular? Who are some of the most popular musicians?
Hip hop and gospel music are both popular. With a fusion of local and foreign music traditions, Tanzanian musicians have grown in prominence within the African Great Lakes region. Popular musicians include Dionys Mbilinyi, Sabinus Komba, John Lisu, Paul Clement, and Christina Shusho.
For a taste of Tanzanian music, listen to Christina Shusho’s Ninanga’ra, and Paul Clement’s Namba Moja.
7. Are there any Traditional Dances?
In many areas in Tanzania, dance and drums are used as part of celebrations, and is seen by some as a way to preserve important parts of the country’s history and traditions.
For an example of Tanzanian Haya dancing, click here. The Haya area group of people residing in northwestern Tanzania.
8. What traditional Festivals are celebrated in the country?
Bagamoyo Festival of Arts and Culture is a seven-day event that is held in Bagamoyo, Tanzania. It features music, dance, drama, acrobatics and many other arts related activities. It takes place every year at the end of September.
First run in 2003, the legendary East African Safari Classic Rally is a nine-day rally covering up to 5,000 kilometres through Kenya and Tanzania. Safari Classic rekindles the spirit of the original Safari Rally, which put East Africa on the motorsport map and earned an unassailable reputation as the world’s toughest rally.
The Wanyambo Festival is one of the best opportunities to check out the local culture of Tanzania in early January. The event is staged in the northern area of Dar es Salaam known as Makumbusho, with lots of traditional music, dance, costumes, and food.
The Marahaba Swahili Music Festival is a festival which happens annually in the city of Dar es Salaam since 2012. It offers a platform for local unknown and popular musicians/bands and cultural troupes to showcase their musicianship, artistry and the rich cultural music of Tanzania.
9. What are the seasons like?
Climate varies greatly within Tanzania. In the highlands, temperatures range between 10 and 20 °C (50 and 68 °F) during cold and hot seasons respectively. The rest of the country has temperatures rarely falling lower than 20 °C (68 °F).
The north and east of Tanzania experience two distinct wet periods – the short rains (Vuli) in October to December, and the long rains (Masika) from March to May. The southern, western, and central parts of the country experience one wet season that continues October through to April or May.
10. What are some interesting facts about the President?
Dr John Joseph Magufuli has been Tanzania’s President since 2015. He is the Chairman of the center-left Chama Cha Mapinduzi party, and previously served as a member of the Tanzanian Cabinet, since 1995. Before politics, he taught chemistry and mathematics at The Sengerema Secondary School, and was subsequently an industrial chemist at The Nyanza Cooperative Union Limited.
11. What are the country’s major industries?
The Tanzanian economy is heavily based on agriculture, which in 2013 accounted for just under a quarter of the country’s GDP.
Industry and construction is a major and growing component of the Tanzanian economy. This component includes mining and quarrying, manufacturing, electricity and natural gas, water supply, and construction.
Tourism, banking, and telecommunications sectors are also strong components of the Tanzanian economy.
12. How do people spend their free time?
Many Tanzanians are social, enjoying spending time with their family and friends, and may come to visit without notice.
13. What do people drink?
Mbenge, Kibuku, and Mulamba are popular among Tanzanians.
14. What is a popular local dish?
Ugali (maize meal) – a type of porridge – is very popular. It can be served with fish, beans, or fruit, as well as plain yogurt.
Tanzanian cuisine is both unique and widely varied. Along the coastal regions (Dar es Salaam, Tanga, Bagamoyo, Zanzibar, and Pemba), spicy foods are common, and there is also much use of coconut milk. Regions in Tanzania’s mainland also have their own unique foods. Some typical mainland Tanzanian foods include wali (rice), ugali (maize porridge), chapati (a kind of bread), nyama choma (grilled meat), mshikaki (marinated beef), samaki (fish), pilau, biriyani, and ndizi-nyama (plantains with meat).
Vegetables commonly used in Tanzania include bamia (okra), mchicha (a kind of spinach), njegere (green peas), maharage (beans), and kisamvu (cassava leaves). Tanzania grows at least 17 different types of bananas which is used for soup, stew, and chips.
Famous Tanzanian snack foods include maandazi (fried dough), isheti, kashata (coconut bars), kabaab (kebab), sambusa (samosa), mkate wa kumimina (Zanzibari rice bread), vileja, vitumbua (rice patties), bagia, and many others.
15. What do you pay, on average, for the following? (1 USD = approx. TZS 2,284)
Milk (1 liter): TZS 9,000
Coca cola (330 ml): TZS 1,100
Cup of coffee: TZS 4,000
3 Course meal: TZS 34,000
Domestic beer: TZS 2,500
Loaf of bread: TZS 1,300
Apples (1 kg): 6,000
16. Any general safety tips?
Don’t walk around alone late at night, and maintain awareness even during the day.
If possible, use a more concealed, smaller bag, rather than a large backpack.
Keep a means of contact, such as a cell phone, on you at all times.
17. In conclusion, famous (and sometimes infamous) people from the country include:
Filbert Bayi, a former Tanzanian middle-distance runner of the 1970s who set the world records for 1500 metres in 1974 and the mile in 1975. He is still the 1500 m Commonwealth Games record holder.
Julius Nyerere, a Tanzanian anti-colonial activist, politician, and political theorist. He governed Tanganyika as its Prime Minister from 1961 to 1963 and then as its President from 1963 to 1964, after which he led its successor state, Tanzania, as its President from 1964 until 1985. He was a founding member of the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) party and later a member of the Chama Cha Mapinduzi party. Ideologically an African nationalist and African socialist, he promoted a political philosophy known as Ujamaa.
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, and Remuneration needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14], [15]. Image sources: Antônio Soletti (Unsplash) [1].
Meet President Ramaphosa’s New Investment Team
When South African President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered his maiden State of the Nation Address in mid-February, he promised to announce plans for a major investment conference.
On Monday evening, before flying out of OR Tambo International Airport to a Commonwealth heads of government meeting, Ramaphosa announced that the conference would take place in August or September.
“New investment in productive sectors of the economy is […] vital to our efforts to reduce poverty and inequality,” he said.
The president also announced the names of five people – four special envoys and one new economic adviser – tasked with seeking out and meeting with investors before the conference kicks off.
“They will be travelling to major financial centres in Asia, Middle East, Europe and the Americas to meet with potential investors,” said Ramaphosa. “A major part of their responsibility will be to seek out investors in other parts of Africa, from Nairobi to Lagos and from Dakar to Cairo.
“This is part of a broader push by government to advance economic integration in the Southern African region and across the continent.”
Meet the team:
Trevor Manuel
When images surfaced of Trevor Manuel and Cyril Ramaphosa jogging on the Sea Point Promenade in Cape Town shortly after Ramaphosa’s election as president, there was some speculation that Manuel could return to his post as finance minister. In the end Nhlanhla Nene was offered the job.
Manuel had said as early as March 2017 that he would be willing to advise a Ramaphosa-led government.
Almost a year later, he was named as one of Ramaphosa’s four investment envoys.
Manuel holds the distinction of being South Africa’s longest-serving post-apartheid era finance minister. He took over from Chris Liebenberg in 1996 and served as finance minister in the Cabinets of Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe.
Ramaphosa will expect Manuel, who is respected by international investors, to bring the gravitas the country’s team of investment envoys needs to convince investors that South Africa under Ramaphosa is an attractive investment destination.
Mcebisi Jonas
While speculation over Manuel’s return to Cabinet never really got off the ground, Mcebisi Jonas was seen as a serious contender to replace Malusi Gigaba in Ramaphosa’s first Cabinet as finance minister.
He served as deputy finance minister from mid-2014 to early 2017, before being shuffled out of Cabinet in late March of that year. Jonas resigned as an ANC MP a few weeks later.
While still in office he became known as a fierce critic of state capture, arguing that it undermines the efficiency of the state.
He became one of the highest profile South Africans to make corruption allegations against the Gupta family. He told former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela that in 2015 – when he was still deputy finance minister – he was “offered” the job of finance minister and R600m by the Guptas. He turned it down.
The Gupta family has denied that such a meeting and the offer of money took place. Ajay Gupta in the past called the claim “blatantly dishonest”.
Ramaphosa will be hoping that Jonas’s persona as an enemy of corruption and sleaze will reassure investors that SA Inc has turned a page on the Zuma era.
Phumzile Langeni
Businesswoman Phumzile Langeni is the executive chairperson of the Afropulse Group, and has served on the boards of several major South African corporations, giving her a broad overview of the local economic landscape.
These include Imperial Holdings, Massmart, the Mineworkers Investment Company, Primedia, Transaction Capital, and more than a dozen others.
If Jonas and Manuel bring public sector experience to the team, Langeni and former Standard Bank chief Jacko Maree represent private sector knowledge.
According to her profile on Bloomberg, Langeni has also had some experience in government, having served as an economic adviser to former minister of minerals and energy Buyelwa Sonjica.
She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Natal and is also a registered stockbroker, having completed a JSE stockbroking course at the University of the Witwatersrand in the mid-1990s.
Trudi Makhaya
Trudi Makhaya, the CEO of Makhaya Advisory and a former deputy commissioner at the Competition Commission, was named Ramaphosa’s economic adviser on Monday evening.
One of her first orders of business will be to coordinate the plans of the four special envoys, and create buzz at investment gatherings ahead of the main investment summit set to take place in South Africa before the end of September.
A Rhodes scholar, she has postgraduate degrees in business and economics from Oxford University and the University of the Witwatersrand.
According to her website, she has held management or consulting roles at Deloitte South Africa, Genesis Analytics and AngloGold Ashanti.
She has also served as an adviser and angel investor to a number of companies, and has held non-executive directorships at Vumelana Advisory Fund and MTN South Africa.
Makhaya is also an opinion columnist for Business Day, and her byline has appeared in numerous publications.
Jacko Maree
Maree retired as the CEO of Standard Bank in March 2013, after more than a decade in the role.
After stepping down, he stayed on at the group as a senior banker focusing on key client relationships.
He was later appointed co-deputy chairperson of the Standard Bank Group in 2016, and is currently the chairperson of Liberty Holdings Limited and Liberty Group Limited.
Ramaphosa will be hoping that Maree’s experience in doing business overseas and building relationships with clients will stand him in good stead when he woos foreign investors.
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, and Remuneration needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: Jan Cronje (Fin24) [1]. Image sources: [1], Gobierno de Chile [2].
Swaziland King Renames Country ‘Kingdom of eSwatini’
King Mswati III declares name change 50 years after independence from British rule
The king of Swaziland, Africa’s last absolute monarchy, has announced that his country has changed its name to the Kingdom of eSwatini to mark 50 years since independence from British rule.
Meaning “place of the Swazi”, eSwatini is the Swazi language name for the tiny state landlocked between South Africa and Mozambique. Unlike some countries, Swaziland did not change its name when it gained independence in 1968 after being a British protectorate for more than 60 years.
King Mswati III declared the name change during independence day celebrations at a packed sports stadium in the second city of Manzini. “I would like to announce that Swaziland will now revert to its original name,” he said, wearing red military uniform.
“African countries on getting independence reverted to their ancient names before they were colonised. So from now on, the country will be officially be known as the Kingdom of eSwatini.”
The name Swaziland angers some citizens as it is a mix of Swazi and English.
The move had been mooted for years, with lawmakers considering the issue in 2015. The king had used the new name in previous official speeches.
Mswati, who was crowned in 1986 aged 18, rules by decree. Political parties are banned from taking part in elections and only candidates approved by chiefs loyal to the king can stand for office. The country has a population of about 1.3 million people.
The name change could mean the country’s constitution is rewritten, as well as changes for the royal Swaziland police force, the Swaziland defence force and the University of Swaziland.
After independence, Rhodesia became Zimbabwe, Nyasaland became Malawi, and Bechuanaland became Botswana.
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, and Remuneration needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: The Guardian [1]. Image sources: [1].