Lobamba

It is located in the western part of the country in the woodland "Valley of Heaven", or Ezulwini Valley. It is {{convert|16|km|mi|0}} from Mbabane, in the district of Hhohho and has a subtropical climate with wet summers and dry winters.

File:Sobhuza.jpg]]

In 1997 its population was 3,625. Its population in 2006 was 11,000.Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.. [https://books.google.com/books?id=QeKbAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA706 Britannica Book of the Year 2010]. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.; 1 March 2010. {{ISBN|978-1-61535-366-8}}. p. 706. 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.

Two areas have been called Lobamba, the first now called "Old Lobamba" was established in 1750 in southern Eswatini. The subject of this article is a settlement that was created by Sobhuza II in the northwest section of the country.Laurel L. Rose. [https://books.google.com/books?id=ev7uqavYvGoC&pg=PA65 The Politics of Harmony: Land Dispute Strategies in Swaziland]. Cambridge University Press; 31 January 1992. {{ISBN|978-0-521-39296-9}}. p. 65.{{#tag:ref|In the mid 18th century ancestors of Sobhuza I came to (old) Lobamba from the north.Bridget Hilton-Barber. [https://books.google.com/books?id=te1461s33IwC&pg=PA158 Weekends with Legends]. New Africa Books; 2001. {{ISBN|978-0-86486-471-0}}. p. 158. About 1750 Swazi was founded in (old) Lobamba by Dlamini dynasty chief Ngwane III, according to local tradition. His son, Ndvungunye, died in 1815 and Sobhuza I became the king and founder of modern Eswatini, ruling from his Shiselweni royal residence beginning in 1818. The city of (old) Lobamba was built in 1820 as headquarters for Sobhuza I, who died in 1838.{{cite book|last=Pinchuck|first=Tony|title=The Rough Guide to South Africa, Lesotho & Swaziland|date=July 5, 2012|publisher=Penguin|isbn=9781405390453|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NYQJTsifWK4C&pg=PT1419}}Emmanuel Kwaku Akyeampong; Henry Louis Gates. [https://books.google.com/books?id=39JMAgAAQBAJ&pg=RA4-PA424 Dictionary of African Biography]. Oxford University Press; 2 February 2012. {{ISBN|978-0-19-538207-5}}. p. 424.|group="nb"}}

In 1903, following the Boer Wars, the British government took control of Eswatini and it was then ruled by a regent. In 1921 King Sobhuza II became leader of Eswatini, which was still under the British government's control.Ruth Cyr. [https://books.google.com/books?id=YlhwTte8pbkC&pg=PA485 Twentieth Century Africa]. iUniverse; 2001. {{ISBN|978-0-595-18982-3}}. p. 485, 488. Eswatini 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, Eswatini was a member in its own right of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), British Commonwealth, and the United Nations.Emmanuel Kwaku Akyeampong; Henry Louis Gates. [https://books.google.com/books?id=39JMAgAAQBAJ&pg=RA4-PA233 Dictionary of African Biography]. Oxford University Press; 2 February 2012. {{ISBN|978-0-19-538207-5}}. p. 233–234. It was made a constitutional monarchy under Sobhuza II,Ruth Cyr. [https://books.google.com/books?id=YlhwTte8pbkC&pg=PA488 Twentieth Century Africa]. iUniverse; 2001. {{ISBN|978-0-595-18982-3}}. p. 488. who lived in the royal residence, or kraal, in Lobamba.

File:Mswati III King of Eswatini.jpg, King of Eswatini
April 1986–present]]

Lobamba is the legislative seat of the Eswatini government.

{{main|Parliament of Eswatini}}

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.

Lobamba also has Inkhundla- Lobamba Inkhundla where residents get services like birth certificate registration, passports, Identity cards and other national documents.

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.Alan Murphy; Kate Armstrong; James Bainbridge. [https://books.google.com/books?id=oMKf-rqYjFgC&pg=PA592 Lonely Planet Southern Africa]. Lonely Planet; 2010. {{ISBN|978-1-74059-545-2}}. p. 592.

King Mswati III lives at the Lozitha Palace, about {{convert|10|km|mi|0|spell=in}} 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.

File:Caricature of William Palmer, 2nd Earl of Selborne (1859-1942).jpg, High Commissioner for South Africa signed a proclamation in 1907 for what became the Eswatini Police Force.]]

Lobamba has a police station and is served by The Royal Eswatini Police Service.[http://police.gov.sz.dedi337.nur4.host-h.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=98%3Arsp&id=1605%3Awhere-to-find-us-lobamba-police-station&Itemid=597 Lobamba Police Station]. The Royal Swaziland Police Service. Retrieved April 7, 2014. During the British colonial era Lord Selborne, High Commissioner for South Africa signed a proclamation in 1907 for what became the Eswatini Police Force. After Eswatini's independence in 1968, the force was renamed the Royal Eswatini Police Force. Its name was further changed making it a service, rather than a force.[http://police.gov.sz.dedi337.nur4.host-h.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=436&Itemid=597 Brief History.] The Royal Swaziland Police Service. Retrieved April 20, 2014.

There are four schools in Lobamba, 2 primary schools and two high schools. First, there is Lomba National High School .Ndzimandze, Mbongiseni (September 12, 2009). [http://www.swazilive.com/Swaziland_News/Swaziland_News_Stories.asp?News_id=495 "Lobamba National High snatches investment challenge"]. Weekend Observer. Accessed April 7, 2014. Also, is Lobamba National Primary School, St Mary's Primary School and St Mary's High School.

The government provides health facilities to manage endemic disease and malnutrition. Retirement, disability and survivor pensions are available through its welfare system. Lobamba has two clinics: Lobamba Clinic and St Mary's Clinic that provide health services to community members but not restricted to Lobamba residents.

There is a community centre for the Youth and a care pount for children where children come to play and eat. The availability of the police station helps reduce crime in the area making it safe for people and next to it is a fire station which brings emergency services closer to the people.

Many of the roads in Eswatini are unsurfaced, but there are good roads that connect principal towns, including the MR3 highway and MR103 road.Kate Armstrong. [https://books.google.com/books?id=y4c1a6GSQ8cC&pg=PA582 South Africa, Lesotho & Swaziland]. Lonely Planet; 2006. {{ISBN|978-1-74059-970-2}}. p. 582. There are small local airstrips and a railroad that operates between Eswatini and Mozambique.Peter Haggett. [https://books.google.com/books?id=6plpd_4AZfgC&pg=PA2477 Encyclopedia of World Geography]. Marshall Cavendish; 1 July 2001. {{ISBN|978-0-7614-7289-6}}. p. 2477. The Matsapha Airport is {{convert|23|km|mi}} from Lobamba. The next closest domestic and international airport is Maputo International Airport in Mozambique, which is {{convert|216|km|mi}} away.[http://www.travelmath.com/nearest-airport/Lobamba,+Swaziland Lobamba, Swaziland.] Travel Math. Retrieved April 21, 2014.

One of the tour operators in Eswatini is Swazi Trails, which has tours of the Lobamba royal village, nature reserves, game parks, and craft centres. Nabo Bashoa runs minibus tours.[https://books.google.com/books?id=rXN6xJjPlrwC&pg=PA801 South Africa]. Rough Guides; 2002. {{ISBN|978-1-85828-853-6}}. Ncwala and Umhlanga ceremonies. p. 801.

{{cquote|African Life. Some of the Sons of the Late Chief Bokweni Mamba.
National Dancing at Lobamba (1951)}}

1. Eswatini Parliament
2. National Museum of Eswatini - Eswatini National Trust Commission
3. Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
4. King Sobhuza II Memorial Park
5. Mandzana - hot springs

The National Museum of Eswatini, 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 and Swazi and South African artifacts. It has a collection of photographs that include subjects of the Mbabane and 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.[http://www.sntc.org.sz/cultural/museum.html "National Museum"]. Swaziland National Trust Commission. Accessed April 7, 2014. The natural history wing includes highveld and lowveld dioramas to illustrate the diverse Eswatini 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.

Also located near the Parliament building is the Somhlolo stadium for football and other major events.

File:Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary in Eswatini 01.jpg]]

{{main|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.Alan Murphy; Kate Armstrong; James Bainbridge. [https://books.google.com/books?id=oMKf-rqYjFgC&pg=PA584 Lonely Planet Southern Africa]. Lonely Planet; 2010. {{ISBN|978-1-74059-545-2}}. p. 584.

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.[http://www.thekingdomofswaziland.com/pages/attractions/the_attraction.asp?AttractionsID=19 Lobamba: Attractions.] The Kingdom of Swaziland. Retrieved April 20, 2014.

Malkerns Valley is an arts and crafts center located {{convert|7|km|mi|frac=2|spell=in}} south of Lobamba.James Bainbridge. [https://books.google.com/books?id=p4pGABdauysC&pg=PA588 South Africa Lesotho and Swaziland]. Lonely Planet; 15 September 2010. {{ISBN|978-1-74220-375-1}}. p. 588.

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,James Bainbridge. [https://books.google.com/books?id=p4pGABdauysC&pg=PA613 South Africa Lesotho and Swaziland]. Lonely Planet; 15 September 2010. {{ISBN|978-1-74220-375-1}}. p. 613. in December and January in honour of the King. These ceremonies include dancing, singing, and celebrations with traditional attire."Ncwala and Umhlanga ceremonies." In [https://books.google.com/books?id=rXN6xJjPlrwC&pg=PA805 South Africa]. Rough Guides; 2002. {{ISBN|978-1-85828-853-6}}. p. 805.[http://www.thekingdomofswaziland.com/pages/content/index.asp?PageID=55 Incwala] The Kingdom of Swaziland. Retrieved April 20, 2014.

{{portal|Africa}}

• Swaziland National Trust Commission - operates the National Museum of Eswatini

{{Reflist|group="nb"}}

{{reflist}}

• Dlamini, Welcome (June 27, 2013). [http://www.times.co.sz/news/88837-majahodvwa-takes-potshot-at-colleague.html "Majahodvwa takes potshot at colleague"]. Times of Eswatini. Accessed April 7, 2014.
• O'Cuneen, Pamela (June 1, 2013). [http://www.theaustralian.com.au/travel/party-time-in-lobamba/story-e6frg8rf-1226653962214 "Party time in Lobamba"]. The Australian. Accessed April 7, 2014.

{{Wikivoyage}}

• "[http://www.swazidirectory.co.sz/index.php/general-information/swaziland-history-traditions-geography Geography of Eswatini]", swazidirectory.co.sz
• [http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Africa/Swaziland/Lobamba-2235550/TravelGuide-Lobamba.html Lobamba Travel Guide]. Virtual Tourist.

{{List of African capitals}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Populated places in Hhohho Region

Category:Capitals in Africa