Lobamba is the traditional, spiritual, and
legislative capital city of Swaziland, seat of the Parliament, and residence of the Ntombi, the Queen
Mother. Mswati
III lives about 10
kilometres (6.2 mi) away at the Lozitha Palace. The King and Queen Mother
participate in annual December and January Incwala ceremonies and August and
September Reed Dancees at the Royal Kraal.
Key attractions are the Parliament,
National Museum of Swaziland, Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, and the King Sobhuza II Memorial Park.
The Embo State Palace, not open to visitors, was built by the British
government for the polygamous King Sobhuza
II, whose family
included 600 children. He led the movement for Swaziland's independence from
the United Kingdom and was its first prime minister.
Overview
It is located in the western part of the
country in the woodland "Valley of Heaven", or Ezulwini Valley. It
is 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) from Mbabane, in the district of Hhohho[7] and has a subtropical climate with a summer rainy season.
In 1997 its population was
3,625. Its population in 2006 was 11,000. Across the country, 84.3%
of its people are Swazi and 9.9% are Zulu. The remainder are Tsonga (2.5%), Indian (1.6%)
and others (1.7%). Its official languages are Swazi and English.
History
Two areas have been called Lobamba, the
first now called "Old Lobamba" was established in 1750 in southern
Swaziland. The subject of this article is a settlement that was created
by Sobhuza II in the northwest section of the country.
In 1903, following the Boer
Wars, the British
government took control of Swaziland and it was then ruled by a regent. In 1921 King Sobhuza
II became leader
of Swaziland, which was still under the British government's
control. Swaziland became independent of the British government on
September 6, 1968, which was announced at a cattle byre in Lobamba by Prince Makhosini.
He was the country's first prime minister and the great-grandson of Sobhuza
I. With its
independence, Swaziland was a member in its own right of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), British Commonwealth, and the United Nations. It
was made a constitutional monarchy under Sobhuza II, who lived in the
royal residence, or kraal, in Lobamba.
Government
April
1986–present
Lobamba is the legislative seat of
the Swaziland government.
Parliament of Swaziland
Main article: Parliament of Swaziland
It was made a branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association on January 1, 1965 and its date of
independence was January 1, 1968. The constitution was signed by King Mswati
III on July 26,
2005. The king appoints the prime minister and the council. There are two chambers: the Senate and
the House of Assembly. The parliament building is sometimes open to
visitors.
Embo State Palace
The royal Embo State Palace was built by
the British to house the polygamous Sobhuza
II and his family,
including 600 children. It is not open to visitors and photographs are not
allowed.
Royal residences
King Mswati
III lives at the
Lozitha Palace, about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from the city. He visits the
Royal Kraal, or Ludzidzini Royal Residence, during the Umhlanga dance and Incwala ceremonies. The royal village
includes the queen mother's Royal Kraal, dwelling clusters, and a parade ground
for ceremonies.
Infrastructure
Law enforcement
Lord
Selborn, High
Commissioner for South Africa signed a
proclamation in 1907 for what became the Swaziland Police Force.
Lobamba has a police station and is
served by The Royal Swaziland Police Service. During the British colonial
era Lord Selborn, High Commissioner for South Africa signed a proclamation in 1907 for
what became the Swaziland Police Force. After Swaziland's independence in 1968,
the force was renamed the Royal Swaziland Police Force. Its name was further
changed making it a service, rather than a force.
Education
Education is free, but is not required. It had low
literacy rates, but they are rising. Lobamba National High School is in
Lobamba.
Health and welfare
The government provides health
facilities to manage endemic disease and malnutrition. Retirement, disability and survivor
pensions are available through its welfare system.
Transportation
Many of the roads in Swaziland are
unsurfaced, but there are good roads that connect principal
towns, including the MR3 highway and MR103 road. There
are small local airstrips and a railroad that operates between Swaziland and
Mozambique. The Matsapha Airport is
23 kilometres (14 mi) from Lobamba. The next closest domestic and
international airport is Maputo International Airport in Mozambique, which is 216
kilometres (134 mi) away.
One of the tour operators in Swaziland is Swazi
Trails, which has tours of the Lobamba royal village, nature reserves, game
parks, and craft centres. Nabo Bashoa runs minibus tours.
Culture and attractions
National Museum of Swaziland
The National Museum of Swaziland,
located in Lobamba next to the Parliament building, was built in 1972 and expanded in 1986 and 1990. The
museum was made a non-profit institution in 1974 by the International Council of Museums.
The museum houses a memorial to the
revered King Sobhuza II[19] and Swazi and South
African artifacts.
It has a collection of photographs that include subjects of the Mbabaneand Manzini Regions and British colonial administrators. A 16th-century head of Krishna, discovered nearby, is located in
the natural history wing and provides evidence of trade with the east.The natural
history wing includes highveld and lowveld dioramas to illustrate the diverse
Swaziland ecosystems and feature rarely seen nocturnal animals. Its
nature-centric exhibits integrate environmental and cultural impacts.
A recreation of a Swazi homestead is located outside the museum.
Somhlolo stadium
Also located near the Parliament
building is the Somhlolo stadium for football and other major events.
Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
Main article: Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
Just outside Lobamba is the Mlilwane
Wildlife Sanctuary that has horseback and hiking trails, guided mountain-bike
tours, rustic trail camps and camping in caves. Throughout the park are
opportunities to observe game, including antelope, giraffe, zebras, and many types of birds.
King Sobhuza II Memorial Park
A memorial park was established in the
memory of King Sobhuza II, who was the leader of the country's independence in 1968.
The king's life is told through an exhibit of photographs. Three of the king's
vintage cars are in the museum and his mausoleum is within the park.
Malkern Valley
Malkerns Valley is an arts and crafts center located 7
kilometres (4.3 mi) south of Lobamba.
Ceremonies
Lobamba is famous for two ceremonies
that are held there: the Reed Dance, celebrated in August and September in honour of the
Queen Mother, and the Incwala, in December and January in honour
of the King. These ceremonies include dancing, singing, and celebrations with
traditional attire.