Mbabane, the capital of Swaziland

At the end of the Anglo-Boer War, in July 1899, a special Commissioner with a force of the South African Constabulary rode into Swaziland from the Transvaal, to annex the Protectorate of Swaziland in the name of King Edward VII of England and to establish an Administration. The place known as Embabaan in the Highveld was chosen as the seat for this administration, mainly because of its high altitude (about 1200 m above sea level) and therefore mild climate: the town of Bremersdorp (now Manzini), at 600 m, the seat of the administration under the Boers, was considered to hot and unhealthy for Europeans.

In 1902 Mbabane was established as the seat of the then British administration of Swaziland. It was a small place then but it did have a hotel, established in 1888; the present City Inn now stands in its place. There was a store and a few houses and a cattle Station belonging to the then King Mbanzeni, where today the industrial site is situated.

Upon Swaziland regaining its independence in 1968 Mbabane remained its administrative capital, a pleasant town of around 39000 inhabitants. All government ministries located here, although the parliament building remains in Lobamba. Pleasant walks can be undertaken in the area, the scenery is beautiful and the climate generally delightful.

	View from Fonteyn	Allister Miller Street	Swazi mother	The "Robot"
	Central parking	Junction	Bus station	Towards Msunduza
	Mbabane market	Market woman	Mbabane panorama	Sandla

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