This is a public holiday in Eswatini (Swaziland), being its Independence Day as it commemorates the day Swaziland gained independence from Great Britain in 1968. In the middle of the 19th Century under the leadership of King Sobzuha I it was twice the size it was today. It was caught between the British and the Boers, and the Pretoria Convention of 1881 guaranteed its independence, but this came at a price as it lost a lot of its territory. After the Boer administration collapsed at the end of the Anglo-Boer War in 1903, the British took control of the country as a protectorate. Movements towards independence gained pace in 1964 when the adoption of its first constitution, and then a new one in 1967 which allowed the introduction of self-government once independence was gained. This was achieved a year later, and the holiday is named after King Sobzuha I, who was nicknamed “Somhlolo”, which means the Wonder, and is considered the founder of the country.
Ceremonies take place in the Somhlolo Stadium in Lobamba, the Royal capital. Local celebrations are held, with singing and traditional dancing by the Swazi regiments.
Holidays & Special Events 