Eswatini

General Info

CULTURAL CHALLENGES AND HARDSHIPS

The small, mountainous country of Eswatini has a dark secret: the highest HIV/AIDS rate in the world. This pandemic has broken almost every family in Eswatini. Due to a promiscuous culture, the ancient tribal tradition of polygamy, and many myths about casual sex, 40% of Eswatini children are orphaned. Words like "rape" and "abuse" can be found in elementary students’ workbooks. Mothers are often left widowed and with no means to support their hungry children, due to lack of education. 

BASICS

• • Currency: Lilagenia (but South African Rand is also accepted and is much easier to use since you'll most likely be traveling through South Africa)

  • Language: SiSwati and English

  • Religion: Zionist 40%, Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 10%, Other 30%

CULTURE

Freedom of religion was not established until 2006. The government generally respects freedom of religion in practice. Although indigenous religions are not widely practiced, traditional Eswatini culture remains strong, and important ceremonies, such as the Incwala and Umhlanga have religious undertones.

EXPLORE

Take an excursion to Execution Rock outside Manzini for some hiking and gorgeous views. If the weather is warm, visit Mantenga Falls outside of Mbabne. Care to see lions, elephants, white rhinos, or giraffes? For an overnight safari excursion, check out Hlane Royal National Park.  (Typically this safari park is the non-ministry day option we offer.)

ADVENTURES IN MISSIONS' WORK IN ESWATINI

Check out this link for more about the extensive work we do in Eswatini.  

COUNTRY ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR Eswatini

Here is the info from the State Department website as of 3/15/23.  We will do our best to update if things change but ultimately it is your responsibility to make sure you comply with the entry requirements.  Also note the red box immediately above this section.

PASSPORT VALIDITY:     6 months past trip

BLANK PASSPORT PAGES:   2 pages per stamp

TOURIST VISA REQUIRED:   No, if your stay is less than 30 days

VACCINATIONS:   Yellow fever, if entering from a yellow fever country

CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS FOR ENTRY:   None

CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS FOR EXIT:   None

Here is the link to the State Department website.

COUNTRY ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR SOUTH AFRICA (since many of you will be spending at least a night there)

Here is the info from the State Department website as of 3/15/23.  We will do our best to update if things change but ultimately it is your responsibility to make sure you comply with the entry requirements.  Also note the red box immediately above this section.

PASSPORT VALIDITY:     30 days past trip

BLANK PASSPORT PAGES:   2 consecutive empty visa pages per entry (not including endorsement pages).

TOURIST VISA REQUIRED:   No, if your stay is less than 90 days

VACCINATIONS:   Yellow fever at least 10 days before arrival is required for travelers originating from or transiting through WHO-designated yellow fever countries.

CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS FOR ENTRY:   ZAR 25,000; Foreign currency unlimited if declared; No Kruger coins.

CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS FOR EXIT:   ZAR 25,000; Foreign currency unlimited if amount was declared on entry; Up to 15 Kruger coins if proof purchased with foreign currency.

Here is the link to the State Department website.

DRESS CODE anD MISC.

Please be sure to check out the general packing guidelines found in the Personal Preparation section of the Trip Preparation tab.

Our Dress Code is modest so that we can respect the Eswatini culture. Modesty does not reveal shape, form, cleavage, bellybutton, tummy, or too much skin. If you cannot raise your arms above your head or touch your toes without showing your stomach or lower back, leave it at home

General: We recommend comfortable closed toed shoes at the ministry sites due to rocky ground.  Some of you will still opt for sandles and that is your choice but be aware that the ground can be "messy". You are welcome to wear flip flops at night when you are inside. You will need a lightweight jacket, sweater, or a long sleeve shirt for the chilly nights. If you wear t-shirts, please no offensive language or logos on them. Please wear plain shirts. 

• • • Dress Code for Women: Women in Eswatini wear skirts or dresses every single day. We ask that you adhere to this dress code. These can be worn with plain t-shirts (nothing offensive on them) and need to be close to ankle length. Jeans or capris are okay for team time / dinner or your travel days to and from Eswatini. Shirts should be short sleeve and not low cut.

    • Dress Code for Men: Pants and t-shirts are the most acceptable dress attire for men, although long cargo shorts are allowed. Khakis are great for most ministry opportunities and jeans for children’s ministry is ok. Please bring one collared shirt if you are going to be there for church. There may or may not be an opportunity to attend, but be prepared. Lightweight clothing is a great option. 

Miscellaneous Packing List:

• Washcloth, towel, toiletry items

• Sheets for a single bed may be required depending on location - you will receive specific instructions if you need to bring them

• Travel pillow, earplugs, flashlight or headlamp, batteries, medication (in original containers)

• Pictures of your family (to show during home visits)

• Personal snacks (granola bars, powdered drink additives) 

• Bible, journal, pens

• Camera, memory cards, batteries

Luggage: Refer to your airline for luggage weight and size restrictions. Be sure you are able to carry your own luggage. 

Passport: Be sure your passport has at least 2 fully blank pages (unstamped) to be presented when entering South Africa. These pages are in addition to the endorsement pages at the back of your passport. Visas are not required for your Eswatini stay up to 30 days. If you are staying longer, you will need to find more information on the State Department website. 

Spending money: You will get the best exchange rate if you use a debit card in the Johannesburg airport after arrival. It will be better than bringing cash to exchange. But you may bring cash if you desire. There will also be access to ATMs later in the trip. Notify your bank of your travel plans ahead of time.  NO traveler’s checks.

Eswatini CULTURE (this is the info Racers receive)

Appropriate Dress: The Adventures dress code outlined applies to your time here. Specifics for Eswatini are that girls should wear skirts for all ministry times unless otherwise specified. If your team is living in the rural area, girls should wear skirts at all times. Shorts are only appropriate to sleep in. Pants or capris are allowed in touristy areas (game parks, markets, Ezulwini Valley, etc), but even when getting in your vehicle to leave the rural area, girls should wear skirts over pants/capris, and change later. Dress is more casual in town, but even there you rarely see women wearing shorts. If your team is staying in Manzini, girls can wear pants/capris around the house and around town, but not for ministry.

Shorts are more acceptable for guys, and they can wear them around town, and for ministry involving sports or hard labor, etc. We do ask that guys have on pants for all other ministry such as home and hospital visits, evangelism, etc, and khakis or something nicer than jeans for church services. Eswatini churches will not let a man preach at a church service unless they are wearing a tie. Eswatinis dress very nicely for church, so please take time to look nice to show them you respect their church.

Guy / Girl Relationships: In a country where sexual immorality is such a huge problem, the worst is often assumed of guy / girl relationships. Please be careful of your interactions with the opposite sex, especially with Eswatinis or in front of Eswatinis. In general, there is not a lot of public physical contact here between men and women. Even things that seem casual to you (hugs, a shoulder rub, etc), are not acceptable between guys and girls here, and can be interpreted as a sign of inappropriate behavior in private. Dating is not generally practiced among believers here. We have literally heard a pastor’s wife tell young people at her church that is impossible to be in a dating relationship and remain pure. Again, we don’t necessarily agree, but we are trying to respect the culture, and not create the impression there is something immoral going on.

Food / Eating: There is a lot of food here in Eswatini that is comparable to American food, but there is also a lot of food you have probably never eaten before. Please do your best to eat anything served to you. Even if you’re unable to finish your food, please try to eat some of everything, and watch your facial expressions. It is very rude to refuse food offered to you.  Often, a poor family will offer you their very best, so please be sensitive to this and eat what is given. In Eswatini, the American “family style/help yourself” way of serving a meal is seen as rude. Most often a plate will be served to you already filled. Also, it’s not generally acceptable to sit in your car or on the curb to eat, or to eat while walking down the street. Salads and fruits are safe to eat. While tap water is safe to brush teeth with, okay to drink, and okay as ice in drinks, it is still better to be careful. The places we eat or were we buy from is safe.

Pictures: Please be very reserved with the use of your camera! Always ask before taking pictures of anybody. Do not make people feel like they are a tourist attraction. DO NOT take pictures inside the hospital. It is very rude. NO MEDIA images may be used to promote ministry outside AIM! Permission required from the AIM staff before any videotaping.

Respect (Hlonipha): Showing proper respect is very important here in Eswatini, especially to those who are older than you or in authority over you. Respect is highly valued in this culture, much more than in the States. When making a request of someone older than you or an elderly person, it is inappropriate to make eye contact. Instead you are to show that you are humbling yourself in some way, either by keeping your head down or if the person is seated, kneeling before them. When you greet someone who is older than you, shake his or her hand with only your right hand, placing your left hand on your right forearm. Greetings are important here, so don’t blow them off. It is very offensive to do anything with your left hand. Use your right hand to greet, to wave, so serve food, and even to eat with.

Relationship vs. Tasks: In general the American culture is very task oriented, while the Eswatini culture is more relationship oriented. This tension can show up in many ways as you live and minister here. Eswatinis who have worked with American teams before will be more understanding of our task focus, but you and your team also have to understand that this is not necessarily a priority for Eswatinis. You may feel like you are using your time wisely by running many errands in one morning, but Eswatinis may see it as rude that you didn’t take time to talk with people you were visiting. Also keep in mind that in a country where public transport is the main mode of transportation, and simple things like boiling a pot of water can mean walking to the river to get water, collecting wood and starting a fire etc, it is hard to be on time, so be ready to have lots of grace in the area of time. 

Confrontation: Confrontation is not practiced in Eswatini, so if you offend someone, they usually will NOT tell you. Addressing issues directly or being up-front or frank about issues can be seen as offensive, especially with people that you don’t know very well. Many times it is appropriate to confront through a third party.

Asking Questions: Because relationships are valued so much more than tasks here, people will often give you the answer you want to hear, or give you incorrect information rather than giving you an answer they feel might disappoint you, and jeopardize your relationship. This can make communication tricky…especially when asking for directions! Eswatinis also don’t use double negatives, so asking questions such as “You didn’t go to the store, did you?” can be confusing. An Eswatini would say, “Yes,” meaning, “Yes, I didn’t go to the store,” whereas an American would say, “No, I didn’t go to the store.” Sometimes you have to clarify information a couple times before you’re sure you understand correctly.

SISWATI INTRODUCTORY WORDS

Sawubona               sah-woo-boh-nah                 Hello! (Addressing one)

Sanibonani             sah-nee-boh-nah-nee            Hello! (Addressing two/more

Kunjani                   oon-jah-nee                          How are you? (Addressing one)

Ninjani                       nin-jah-nee                           How are you? (Addressing two/more)

Ngiyaphila              ng-ee-yah-pee-lah                I am fine/well

or Ngikhona

Ngiyabonga             ng-ee-yah-boh-ngah             Thank you

Yebo                                                                        Yes

Cha                          (the c represents a click)       No

Make                       ma-gay                                  Mother         

Babe                        ba-bay                                  Father

Gogo                        gô-gô                                    Grandmother

Umkhulu                                                                Grandfather

Bhuti                       boo-tee                                Brother

Sisi                          see-see                                  Sister

Thula                                                                       Be quiet (address one child)

Thulani                                                                   Be quiet (address two/more)

Mani                                                                        Wait

Ubani igama Lakho?                                              What is your name?

(Remember that the k represents an English “g” sound)

Ligama Lami “Dennis”                                            My name is “Dennis”

Nkulunkulu                                                           God

Ngiyani Bingelela egameni laJesu                       I greet you in the name of Jesus

Jesu Uyakutsandza                                               Jesus loves you

Ngiyakutsandza                                                 I love you

Unangakhi weminyaka                                         How old are you?

Umngani wami                                                      My friend

Umu-ti                                                                   Homestead

Sala khale                                                              Stay well/Goodbye (when you are leaving)

Salani khale                                                           Stay well/Goodbye (for many)

Hamba kakle                                                          Go well/Goodbye (when somebody is going)

Hambani kahle                                                      Go well/Goodbye (for many)

Lala kahle                                                              Sleep well

Tsotsi                                                                       Thug