Mbabane - Post Report Question and Answers
Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
There are certainly some gender inequalities that still persist in this culturally traditional nation...there are small changes/improvements but in general, it sometimes feels that Eswatini is still a few decades behind what we might find in the West. - Aug 2023
Eswatini had the first school that allowed children of all races on the continent. It's a fascinating story. There are still some weird things, just by virtue of being next to South Africa, but generally, everyone gets along well. - Oct 2019
We haven't experienced any tensions, but I am told there are some hangover feelings from the Apartheid era. - Mar 2015
There is some tension between black and white Africans, but nothing near to what you will experience in South Africa. This is a patriarchal society, so men are considered to be superior to women. - Feb 2011
Regarding gender and race, there are vast differences in how those characteristics are treated between rural and urban, traditional and progressive, tourism-focused and private Swaziland. I feel quite comfortable as an expat, but this is the first time I've lived someplace where being white is the my predominant characteristic. I don't think Swaziland is exceptional in this, however. For good or ill, Swaziland retains a great deal of traditional society elements, and Swazi women are affected by the "ill" parts. As an expat, or within the "urban" areas, I don't think you feel these effects (although you can read about abuse issues in the newspaper every day), unless you work in an educational, social service, or health care environment where you serve the local community. - May 2010
Swaziland is remarkably without racial prejudices. They've been independent for 40 years and blacks, whites, and Asians have lived peacefully together for generations. There are also few religious problems, perhaps because 98% of the country is Christian/Zionist. As for women- Swazi women were only granted the status of legal adults when the new constitution was implemented in 2006. There are a number of educated, working women in Swaziland, which contrasts dramatically with the fact that they can't access their bank accounts without the husband's permission. Polygamy is still very common and accepted, but things are definitely changing (if ever so slowly). - Mar 2008
