United Nations report - Sikelela Dlamini - Uncensored with Michael Ware TV - BBC online - Hamilton’s Pharmacopeia TV -
Nearly one-third of the rural population has a high expenditure on food, thus having little capacity to cope with the combined effects of production shortfalls and increased market prices, and can quickly fall further into food insecurity. Swaziland has seen an increase of food insecurity in the country with many households unable to eat three meals a day. Acute malnutrition rates have increased by 2.5 per cent from the average of 3 to 5.5 per cent. United Nations report March 2016, office of resident coordinator
10My wife works at the university. Last month they got paid late. And they don’t know what will happen when it’s pay day again. In the health sector it’s worse. Some people got only half their salaries. There is no money – only panic. Sikelela Dlamini, United Democratic Front, BBC news July 2011
Now I’ve travelled half way around the world to try to track down a different kind of ruler: an absolute ruler. One of the only left standing. Have you ever met a king? I have. Uncensored with Michael Ware: King of Swaziland, National Geographic 2017
One of the last absolute monarchies in the world … often criticized in the western press for his lavish spending, for the state of his nation, for the treatment of his people. ibid.
The kingdom of Swaziland is one of the world’s last remaining absolute monarchies.
The king rules by decree over his million subjects, most of whom live in the countryside and follow traditional ways of life.
The struggling economy benefited from preferential access which textile exporters had to the United States until this facility was withdrawn over human rights concerns in 2015.
The country exports sugar and many Swazis work in South Africa and send their earnings home.
According to UNICEF Swaziland has the highest HIV prevalence rate in the world. The HIV-Aids virus has killed countless Swazis who have left behind thousands of orphans. Some 210,000 people, our of a population of 1.2 million, are estimated to be living with HIV. BBC online article 14th December 2016
A weed field in Swaziland and I’m holding in my hand a plastic bag full of Swazi gold nugs. And I’m grateful to be here. Very grateful to be here. Hamilton’s Pharmacopeia: Swaziland: Gold Mine of Marijuana, Vice TV 2014
The kingdom of Swaziland would appear to be heaven on earth. Yet Swaziland has the highest prevalence of HIV in the world. And only one doctor for every six thousand people. Ruled by King Mswati … Although, over two thirds of the population lives under the poverty line, King Mswati taxes the meagre income Swazi farmers earn from the crops. But one crop remains exempt because it was never approved. ibid.
Swazi gold is a pure Sativa strain that is said to take six months to mature, and can grow over ten feet in height. ibid.
There’s now a demand for fast-growing hybrids imported from Europe. ibid.