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Hhohho () is a region of
Eswatini Eswatini ( ; ss, eSwatini ), officially the Kingdom of Eswatini and formerly named Swaziland ( ; officially renamed in 2018), is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. It is bordered by Mozambique to its northeast and South Africa to its no ...
, located in the north western part of the country. Hhohho was named after the capital of King
Mswati II King Mswati II (Born:1820–Died:1868), also known as Mswati and Mavuso III, was the king of Eswatini between 1850 and 1868. He was also the eponym of Eswatini. Mswati is considered to be one of the greatest fighting kings of Eswatini. Under hi ...
, who expanded the Swazi territory to the north and west, taking in the districts of Barberton,
Nelspruit Mbombela (also known as Nelspruit) is a city in northeastern South Africa. It is the capital of the Mpumalanga province. Located on the Crocodile River (Mpumalanga), Crocodile River, Mbombela lies about by road west of the Mozambique border, ea ...
, Carolina and
Piet Retief Pieter Mauritz Retief (12 November 1780 – 6 February 1838) was a ''Voortrekker'' leader. Settling in 1814 in the frontier region of the Cape Colony, he assumed command of punitive expeditions in response to raiding parties from the adjacent ...
. These areas were later acquired by what was the Province of Transvaal and today they form part of the
Mpumalanga Province Mpumalanga () is a province of South Africa. The name means "East", or literally "The Place Where the Sun Rises" in the Swazi, Xhosa, Ndebele and Zulu languages. Mpumalanga lies in eastern South Africa, bordering Eswatini and Mozambique. It ...
of
South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...
. It has an area of 3,625.17 km², a population of 320,651 (2017), and is divided into 14
tinkhundla In Eswatini, an inkhundla (; plural: tinkhundla) is an administrative subdivision smaller than a district but larger than an umphakatsi (or "chiefdom"). There are 55 tinkhundla in Eswatini: 14 in Hhohho District, 11 in Lubombo District, 16 in M ...
. The administrative center is the national capital of
Mbabane Mbabane (; ss, ÉMbábáne, ) is a city in Eswatini (previously called Swaziland), and is one of the two capitals (along with Lobamba), serving as the executive capital. With an estimated population of 94,874 (2010), it is located on the Mbaba ...
. It borders
Lubombo Region Lubombo is a region of Eswatini, located in the east of the country. It has an area of 5,849.11 km² and a population of 212,531 (2017). Its administrative center is Siteki. It borders all three other regions: Hhohho to the north, Manzini ...
on the southeast and
Manzini Region Manzini is a region of Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland), located in the center-west of the country. It has an area of 4,093.59 km² and a population of 355,945 (2017). Its administrative center is Manzini. It borders all three other re ...
in the southwest.


Etymology

The name Hhohho was the name of the royal capital of
Mswati II King Mswati II (Born:1820–Died:1868), also known as Mswati and Mavuso III, was the king of Eswatini between 1850 and 1868. He was also the eponym of Eswatini. Mswati is considered to be one of the greatest fighting kings of Eswatini. Under hi ...
, a 19th-century king of Eswatini. After the
Anglo-Boer war The Second Boer War ( af, Tweede Vryheidsoorlog, , 11 October 189931 May 1902), also known as the Boer War, the Anglo–Boer War, or the South African War, was a conflict fought between the British Empire and the two Boer Republics (the Sout ...
, Eswatini came under British administration. A partition of the country into districts followed and Hhohho was the name chosen for the northernmost district.


History

The region of Eswatini which is today Hhohho was inhabited in earlier times by the Khoisan people. Later, Bantu settlers of Nguni and Sotho origin established settlements in the area. The land was later conquered by King Sobhuza I in the early 19th century as he relocated his capital from Zombodze in present-day Shiselweni, to Zombodze in the centre of Eswatini. Sotho clans such as the Gama, Mnisi and Magagula, and Nguni clans such as the Maseko, were incorporated into the Swazi state. The royal capital of Sobhuza was built in what forms the Ezulwini valley (valley of heaven). This land was chosen for its impenetrability by invaders, and for its fertility, and good rivers. Under the rule of King
Mswati II King Mswati II (Born:1820–Died:1868), also known as Mswati and Mavuso III, was the king of Eswatini between 1850 and 1868. He was also the eponym of Eswatini. Mswati is considered to be one of the greatest fighting kings of Eswatini. Under hi ...
, the royal capital of the king was constructed north of the country and was called Hhohho. This is the eponym of the Hhohho region. This briefly shifted the political centre of Eswatini northwards, first to minimise the danger of invasion by Zulu forces from the south, and later to expand and conquer lands in the north. Indeed, Mswati's armies expanded the territory of Eswatini. More royal outposts were constructed in towns that are now in South Africa's Mpumalanga province. The loss of the territory occurred after Mswati's reign had ended, and was spurred by the concession hunters, and settlers in the territory that became the Transvaal Republic. In the northwest of Eswatini, gold was discovered, drawing a large number of miners and settlers in the area. Gold deposits were first recorded around
Piggs Peak Piggs Peak is a town in northwestern Eswatini. It was founded around gold prospecting in 1884, but its main industry is now forestry. The Phophonyane Falls lie near the town. Piggs Peak Casino takes its name from the area. In 2001 the 115m high ...
during modern times in 1872 and in 1884 a gold-bearing reef was discovered in the hills to the west by the prospector, William Pigg, after whom the town is named. Other mining adventures took place in the neighbouring town of
Bulembu Bulembu is a small town located in northwestern Hhohho, Eswatini, 10 km west of the town of Piggs Peak and close to the border with South Africa. Located above the Komati Valley in Eswatini's Highveld, Bulembu is named after the siSwati wo ...
, where later on, asbestos was mined. The town of
Ngwenya Ngwenya is a town in western Eswatini, lying near the border with South Africa, north west of Mbabane, on the MR3 road. The South African town opposite Ngwenya is Oshoek in Mpumalanga province. It is known for its glass factory and artwork ...
on the western border of Eswatini with South Africa, is home to the oldest known iron-ore mine in the world. Commercial scale mining took place in the mine until 1977. During Eswatini's status as a British protectorate (1903–68), the borders of Hhohho were officially drawn, with its capital – and that of the country – being Mbabane. The British resident commissioner had his offices in the town. The city, the meaning of whose name is believed to originate from a “small and bitter highveld plant” that grew in the area, is named after Chief Mbabane Kunene.


Law and government

The Hhohho region is governed by the regional administrator, who is appointed by the king. The present regional administrator is Dr Ben Sibandze. The seat of the regional administration is in the regional capital, Mbabane. Mbabane is also the administrative capital of Eswatini. The legal system in Hhohho follows that of the whole country. There are magistrate courts which administer Roman-Dutch law.


Administrative divisions

Hhohho is subdivided to 14
tinkhundla In Eswatini, an inkhundla (; plural: tinkhundla) is an administrative subdivision smaller than a district but larger than an umphakatsi (or "chiefdom"). There are 55 tinkhundla in Eswatini: 14 in Hhohho District, 11 in Lubombo District, 16 in M ...
(or constituencies). These are local administration centres, and also parliamentary constituencies. Each inkhundla is headed by an ''indvuna yenkhundla'' or governor with the help of ''bucopho''. The tinkhundla are further divided into imiphakatsi (or chiefdoms). The present tinkhundla are: *
Hhukwini Hhukwini is an '' inkhundla'' of Eswatini, located in the Hhohho District. Its population as of the 2007 census was 9,837. ReferencesStatoids.com retrieved December 11, 2010 Populated places in Hhohho Region {{Swaziland-geo-stub ...
** Imiphakatsi: Dlangeni, Lamgabhi *
Lobamba Lobamba is a city in Eswatini, and is one of the two capitals (along with Mbabane), serving as the legislative, traditional, spiritual, seat of government of the Parliament of Eswatini,Elangeni, Ezabeni,
Ezulwini Ezulwini Valley is a valley of northwest Eswatini. Also known as "The Valley of Heaven", the valley lasts for about 30 kilometres, and is bounded to the east by the Mdzimba hills. The historical capital of Swaziland Lobamba is located in the vall ...
,
Lobamba Lobamba is a city in Eswatini, and is one of the two capitals (along with Mbabane), serving as the legislative, traditional, spiritual, seat of government of the Parliament of Eswatini,Nkanini * Madlangempisi ** Imiphakatsi: Ebulanzeni/ Buhlebuyeza, Emzaceni, Kadvokolwako, Kaguquka, Kazandondo * Maphalaleni ** Imiphakatsi: Emcengeni, Emfeni, Entsanjeni, Esitseni, Kasiko, Mabeleni, Madlolo, Maphalaleni, Nsingweni * Mayiwane ** Imiphakatsi: Emfasini, Herefords, Mavula, Mkhuzweni, Mkhweni * Mbabane East ** Imiphakatsi:
Corporation A corporation is an organization—usually a group of people or a company—authorized by the state to act as a single entity (a legal entity recognized by private and public law "born out of statute"; a legal person in legal context) and r ...
, Fonteyn, Gobholo, Maqobolwane, Mcozini, Mncitsini, Mntulwini, Sidwashini * Mbabane West ** Imiphakatsi: éMbábáne I, éMbábáne II, éMbábáne III, éMbábáne IV, éMbábáne V, éMbábáne VI, Bahai, Mangwaneni *
Mhlangatane Mhlangatane is an ''inkhundla'' of Eswatini, located in the Hhohho District Hhohho () is a region of Eswatini, located in the north western part of the country. Hhohho was named after the capital of King Mswati II, who expanded the Swazi territ ...
** Imiphakatsi: Mangweni, Manjengeni, Mavula, Malibeni,
Mpofu Mpofu is a town in Chris Hani District Municipality in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. As of 1996, it was the seat of a Magistrate's Court (South Africa), magisterial district. References

Populated places in the Enoch Mgijima ...
, Ndvwabangeni, Nhlanguyavuka, Nyakatfo, Sidwashini, Zinyane * Motjane ** Imiphakatsi: Ekupheleni, Esigangeni, Luhlendlweni, Mantabeni, Motjane, Mpolonjeni, Sipocosini * Ndzingeni ** Imiphakatsi: Bulandzeni, Emgungunlovu, Emvuma, Ludlawini, Ndzingeni, Ngowane, Nkamanzi * Nkhaba ** Imiphakatsi: Ejubukweni, Ekuvinjelweni, Emdzimba, Nkaba * Ntfonjeni ** Imiphakatsi:
Hhelehhele Hhelehhele is a town in central Eswatini Eswatini ( ; ss, eSwatini ), officially the Kingdom of Eswatini and formerly named Swaziland ( ; officially renamed in 2018), is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. It is bordered by Mozambique to ...
, Kandwandwe, Lomshiyo, Mashobeni, Mshingishingini, Mvembili, Vusweni *
Piggs Peak Piggs Peak is a town in northwestern Eswatini. It was founded around gold prospecting in 1884, but its main industry is now forestry. The Phophonyane Falls lie near the town. Piggs Peak Casino takes its name from the area. In 2001 the 115m high ...
** Imiphakatsi:
Bulembu Bulembu is a small town located in northwestern Hhohho, Eswatini, 10 km west of the town of Piggs Peak and close to the border with South Africa. Located above the Komati Valley in Eswatini's Highveld, Bulembu is named after the siSwati wo ...
, Ekwakheni, Enginamadolo, Ensangwini, Kamkhweli, Luhhumaneni * Timpisini ** Imiphakatsi: Kahhohho, Mashobeni, Mvembili, Ndlalambi/ Ludzibini


Economy

Hhohho is the most economically advanced region of Eswatini. Being home to the capital of the country, and hosting a significant fraction of the Manzini-Mbabane corridor, it has Eswatini biggest urbanized population. The economy of the region is dominated by services, tourism, and forestry. The capital, Mbabane is home to the headquarters of many of Eswatini corporations. The central bank of Eswatini is located in Mbabane, so are the headquarters of Standard Bank, Nedbank, Swazi Bank, First National Bank and Eswatini Building Society. The other financial services companies located in Mbabane include: African Alliance, Select Management Services, Eswatini Revenue Authority, among many others. The forestry industry is one of the most important sectors of the Hhohho economy. The area around the towns of Piggs Peak and Bulembu is home to many planted forests and sawmills. The wood is exported for processing in South Africa. The remaining agricultural sector remains very small. Most rural dwellers continue to cultivate rain-fed crops on Swazi Nation Land, and keep small amounts of livestock. Mining in Hhohho has declined significantly over the period of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st. Mining in the early 19th century was the dominant industry with mines located in Ngwenya mine, Bulembu, Piggs Peak and other areas. Ngwenya mine is notable for its status as the oldest known iron-ore mine in the world. Some mining activity still continues in this mine under the Indian mining company Salgaocar. The other mines in the region are no longer operational. The Bulembu mining town which was the main centre for asbestos mining, has now diversified to other sectors, and is privately owned. Tourism is one of the largest sectors of the Hhohho economy. The Ezulwini valley is Eswatini's most famous tourist area with many hotels and restaurants. In Lobamba, the royal and legislative capital of Eswatini, various tourist attractions exist. These include the National Museum, the King Sobhuza II Memorial, and the Eswatini National Archives. The umhlanga festival, held at Ludzidzini Royal Kraal, is one of the most famous cultural events in Eswatini. Mantenga Falls and cultural village, also in the Zulwini valley, are magnets for Swazi culture tourists. Further north of the region, lies the Maguga dam and lodge, and further north is the Phophonyane Falls. Hhohho is also home to the Malolotja nature reserve, a place renowned for its hiking trails.


Cultural

Hhohho is home to the royal capital of Eswatini at Lobamba. Here the main cultural events of the country are held. These are the
Incwala Incwala () is the main ritual of kingship in the Eswatini, Kingdom of Eswatini. This is a national event that takes place during the summer solstice. The main participant in incwala is the King of Eswatini; when there is no king there is no incw ...
ceremony and the Umhlanga ceremony. Hhohho is also home to art galleries such as the
Indingilizi Gallery Indingilizi Gallery is an art gallery in Mbabane, Eswatini, established in 1982. Most of Eswatini's top artists have had their work showcased here. The gallery showcases a range of Swazi art including sculptures, paintings, batiks, mohair, ethnic ...
in Mbabane. Performance arts can be seen at the theater club, also in Mbabane.


Education

A campus of the national
University of Eswatini The University of Eswatini (or UNESWA; formerly known as the University of Swaziland, or UNISWA) is the national university of Eswatini. It was established by act of parliament in 1982. The university developed from the University of Botswana, ...
is located in Mbabane, and specializes in health and environmental sciences. The Eswatini College of Technology (SCOT), is also located in Mbabane, and focuses on various technical trades. Recent tertiary institutions in the region are the Eswatini Christian University and a campus of Limkokwing University.


References

{{Authority control Regions of Eswatini