South Manzini and the Lubombo District in Eastern Swaziland

Not far south of the central town of Manzini is the small town of Sidvokodvo, on the railway line that runs from the Ngwenya iron mine in western Swaziland to Maputo in Mozambique. The land here becomes the "Lowveld", lower lying than the "Middleveld" where Manzini is situated. It is generally drier here, with vegetation that reflects that, cactus-like aloes with thick, thorny leaves. Swazi women would rub the bitter aloe sap on their breasts if they wanted to discourage their children from suckling.

Going east from here one enters the Lubombo District, comprising of Lowveld and in the east rising up to the Lubombo mountains along the border with Mozambique. A bridge crosses the Great Usutu River at the small town of Sipofaneni; there are warm sulphur springs here where children bathe and women do their washing. Further to the south east, in the middle of the dry Lowveld, is the surprising sight of St Philips Church, with an Italian style cupola (although, it was said, inspired by the traditional Swazi beehive huts) built by the indomitable Father Edoni, an Italian Catholic missionary. There was also a Primary and Secondary school here.

Further east is the town of Big Bend, with its sugar plantations and mill; another sugar producing area with its own mill is at Mhlume, in the north of Lubombo District. The main town of the district is Siteki (formerly Stegi), in the mountains near the border with Mozambique. South of Siteki, along a road that follows the mountain range, near the waterfall of Mpopomeni, ancient cycads can be found: this plant is regarded as a living fossil.

	Road to Sidvokodvo	Lowveld vegetation	Aloe flowers	Wooden sledge
	Sulphur springs	Usutu, Sipofaneni	St. Phillips Church	Aloe of the Lowveld
	Aloes near Big Bend	Cycad	Road near Siteki	Sugar fields, Mhlume

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