It has an estimated population of 94,874 (2010). It is located on theMbabane River and its tributary thePolinjane River in theMdzimba Mountains. It is located in theHhohho Region, of which it is also thecapital. The average elevation of the city is 1,243 meters. It lies on theMR3 road.
The town grew after the nation'sadministrative centre was moved fromBremersdorp (now called Manzini) in January 1902.[1] It derives its name from a chief, Mbabane Kunene, who lived in the area when someBritish settlers arrived.
Mbabane was founded in 1887 by Mickey Wells, on the spot where the Transvaal-to-Mozambique route crossed the Mbabane river. Great Britain declared it as the capital of the newProtectorate of Swaziland in 1902. During this time, Mbabane consisted of a few shops, churches and schools founded by white settlers. The black Swazi Africans were not allowed to live in the town and had to reside in nearby rural districts.[2] By the 1930s, Mbabane hadelectricity, running water, telephone connection and ahospital.[citation needed]
Prior to WW2, most Swazis lived in rural districts and worked outsideEswatini, so there was little growth in the town. After the war, the creation of trade schools in the city, the arrival of theGoba railway connectingMaputo to the mines in South Africa and Lesotho, and foreign investment within Eswatini (particularly in the sugar industry) all contributed to the city's growth.[citation needed] Mbabane became the central hub for development inHhohho.
In the years following independence, governmental buildings such as the British Consulate were built in Mbabane. Growth has occurred with thetourism industry in Eswatini, of which Mbabane has become the centre. Mbabane today is home to hotels and recreational sites such as clubs and golf courses tending to tourists.[3][4]
Mbabane is located in the district of Hhohho, of which it is also the capital, and lies on theMbabane River and its tributary thePolinjane River in theMdzimba Mountains. The average elevation of the city is 1,243 metres. Neighbourhoods and suburbs includeMbangweni, Sidvwashini, Kent Rock, Sandla, Westridge Park, Malunge, New Checkers, Msunduza and Vukutentele.
Due to its altitude, Mbabane features a moderatesubtropical highland climate (Köppen: Cwb). The city has a mild climate and snow is a rare event, occurring only three times since 1900.[5] The city averages only four days of frost a year. The average temperature is 11 °C (52 °F) in July and 22 °C (72 °F) in January.[6][7] The thermal range is low, but the winter night is cold for asubtropical climate in general. Most of the precipitation is concentrated in the summer. The difference in the driest month (June) and the wettest (January) is 210 mm.[7]
Climate data for Mbabane (1961-1990 normals, extremes 1957-1977)
Mbabane's closest border crossing toSouth Africa isNgwenya-Oshoek. ThoughsiSwati is the primary language,English is widespread. Mbabane, and Eswatini itself, depend on tourism andsugar exports.[citation needed] It is a commercial hub for the surrounding region, andtin andiron were mined nearby. The city has two sites for light industries.[citation needed]
The financial service sector in Mbabane is a key driver of economic growth, providing a wide array of services such as banking, investment management, and insurance, The continuous growth of the financial services sector in Mbabane has resulted in the city becoming a financial hub in the region. It contributes to the overall economic progress of Eswatini.[10]
