BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – In a bid to promote domestic tourism in the country, Their Majesties yesterday visited Mlawula Nature Reserve.
According to reports from Eswatini TV and Times of Eswatini, His Majesty King Mswati III and Her Majesty the Indlovukazi got an opportunity to board a train from Mlawula Rail Port to a place known as Siweni, which is situated within Mlawula Nature Reserve. Siweni is about 10 kilometres from the Rail Port and about five kilometres from the borderline separating Mozambique and Eswatini. The King was accompanied by former Botswana President Lieutenant Seretse Khama Ian Khama.
Their Majesties were welcomed by Acting Prime Minister Manqoba Khumalo and Minister for Tourism and Environmental Affairs Jane Mkhonta-Simelane. The trip (by train) lasted for 30 minutes before reaching Siweni. The King then started walking around Mlawula Nature Reserve, where wild animal and protected indigenous trees are kept.
The King was told about the existence of different types of indigenous trees, some of whom only exist in this country. He was given the information by Eswatini National Trust Commission (ENTC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Thulani Methula. Some of these trees are so strong such that their products can last for many years. Such trees include the iron wood trees (known as Umkhunkhu in SiSwati). This tree is used to produce charcoal in countries such as Mozambique. It was also explained to the King on how such trees multiplied. Pollination was the way in which the trees multiplied. Some of the trees were eaten by antelopes, but that did not mean they faced extinction.
Their Majesties also encouraged the nation to make time to visit places in this country, especially those that certain historical knowledge of the country and its people. The King also got an opportunity to cut the sod for the construction of the Mlindazwe Army Barracks. The new army base will be situated in Mahhuku, which is also not far from Siweni.
Mahhuku is a place under KaLanga Chiefdom (around Siteki) in the Lubombo Region. His Majesty the King thanked KaLanga Chief Jozane Maziya for allocating the area for the construction of the army barracks. Maziya also implored the people of KaLanga to work cooperatively with the army for peace and security.
