Mbabane
A street in downtown Mbabane
Mbabane Location of Mbabane in Swaziland.
Coordinates: 26°19′S 31°08′E / 26.317°S 31.133°E / -26.317; 31.133
Country	Swaziland
District	Hhohho
Population (2003)
• Total	95,000
Website	http://www.mbabane.org.sz/

Mbabane (Swati: ÉMbábáne), with an estimated population of 95,000 (2007), is the capital and second largest city in Swaziland after Manzini. It is located on the Mbabane River and its tributary the Polinjane River in the Mdimba Mountains. It is located in the district of Hhohho, of which it is also the capital. The average elevation of the city is 1243 meters. The population (estimated) in 1987 was 30,000.^[1] It lies on the MR3 road.

History[link]

The town grew after the nation's administrative centre moved from Bremersdorp (now called Manzini) in 1902. It derives its name from a Chief, Mbabane Kunene, who lived in the area when British settlers arrived.

View of Mbabane

Geography and climate[link]

Mbabane is located in the district of Hhohho, of which it is also the capital, and lies on the Mbabane River and its tributary the Polinjane River in the Mdimba Mountains. The average elevation of the city is 1243 meters. Neighborhoods and suburbs include Mbangweni, Sidwashini, Kent Rock, Sandla, Westridge Park, Malunge, New Checkers, Msunduza and Vukutentele.

Due to its altitude, Mbabane features a milder, more moderate form of a humid subtropical climate. The city has a mild climate and snow is a rare event, which has occurred only 3 times since 1900. The city averages only four days of frost a year. The average annual temperature is 15°C in July and 22°C in January.^[2]

Economy[link]

Mbabane's closest border crossing to South Africa is Ngwenya-Oshoek, and though siSwati is the primary language, English is widespread. Mbabane, and Swaziland itself, depend on tourism and sugar exports. It is also a commercial hub for the surrounding region, while tin and iron were mined nearby. The city has two sites for light industries.

Education and culture[link]

Mbabane is the home of the Waterford-KaMhlaba United World College of Southern Africa, as well as one of the three campuses of the University of Swaziland. Also in Mbabane is the British High Commission which is responsible for relations between the governments of Swaziland and the United Kingdom. Indingilizi Gallery is an art gallery in Mbabane, established in 1982 and showcases a range of Swazi art, including sculptures, paintings, batiks, mohair, ethnic jewellery and pottery.^[3]

Portable market hut in Mbabane, 1979

Sister cities[link]

• Fort Worth, USA
• Taipei, Taiwan

References[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Mbabane

Coordinates: 26°19′S 31°08′E / 26.317°S 31.133°E / -26.317; 31.133