Mlawula Nature Reserve over 1 000yrs old
SIWENI – His Majesty King Mswati III was informed how Mlawula Nature Reserve was inhabited by some tribes over 1 000 years ago.
Senior Park Warden Sonnyboy Mtsetfwa, on Monday, revealed how the people lived around Siphiso, an area situated within the nature reserve.
During a hike to the forest from the Siweni Train Station, the King stopped and asked if the Eswatini National Trust Commission (ENTC) had discovered any historic monuments that could be preserved and used as tourist attraction sites within the nature reserve.
Narrated
Mtsetfwa narrated that during a survey conducted by ENTC recently, they uncovered that there was a cave situated at Siphiso, that used to accommodate people over 1 000 years ago.
The King walked for almost a kilometre to see the ironwood (umkhunkhu tree), which is in an area covering 3 000 hectares. The tree was described as a rare species on the continent.
The King was in the company of Her Majesty The Queen Mother and Emazinyane in Prince Sicalo, Prince Lindani and Prince Bandzile, Emakhosikati and Cabinet ministers in the likes of Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Jane Simelane, Minister of Housing and Urban Development Appolo Maphalala, Minister of Home Affairs Princess Lindiwe, Minister of Tinkhundla
Administration and Development Sikhumbuzo Dlamini, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Pholile Shakantu and
Minister of Economic Planning and Development Dr Tambo Gina. Also attending the event were KaLanga Chief Jozane Maziya, Chief
Mawandla Gamedze and Chief Mgwagwa Gamedze.
The King and his entourage boarded a train from Mlawula holding area to Siweni, a distance of about 10km.
His Majesty went as far as the Mahlabashana River, which is a tributary of the Black Umbuluzi River.
“Your Majesty, while we were conducting a survey, we discovered that there was a rocky cave area that used to accommodate people 1 000 years ago. We believe, through your command Your Majesty, we have to do more surveys that will reveal more historic activities within the area,” he said.
His Majesty promised to visit the area again to see more of the area, which was endowed with nature.
ENTC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Thulani Methula thanked the King for taking his time to explore the trail and the rare tree species. Methula said it was motivating to see the country’s leader taking an interest in some of the historic scenes in the promotion of tourism.
The CEO stated that the country was among nations that were blessed with historic monuments on the continent.
“It is gratifying that Eswatini is blessed with peace and respect among its people and it is imperative that we explore more of the tourist attraction sites, so that tourists can explore them. Tourism plays a key role in the growth of the country’s economy,” he said.