Southern African Collections : Swaziland

Southern African Collections

<p style='text-align: justify;'>Contains slides relating to the three visits to Swaziland by John Ewart Marnham. Scenes include: the Swazi capital Mbabane; Tshaneni in the north of the country; Geodgegun; Havelock; Pigg's Peak area and the Swaziland Independence Day celebrations. The Independence of Swaziland was discussed at a conference in London on 19-23 February 1968 and the country became independent on 6 September at a ceremony in the Somhlolo stadium at Lobamba. Owing to the death of Princess Marina of Kent, the Duke of Kent, who was to have represented the Queen, was not present, and the Queen was represented by Sir Francis Lloyd, who had been Commissioner for Swaziland since 1964. This section consists of Kodachromes processed in the USA in January 1969 and arranged by processing number.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>John Ewart Marnham apparently paid three visits to Swaziland. The first in November 1965 began at the capital, Mbabane, thence to Tshaneni in the north, whence he flew over Stegi to Geodgegun in the south, returning north to Pigg's Peak and Havelock. He returned in August 1967, probably on holiday and went from Mbabane to the Pigg's Peak area. His third visit, presumably in an official capacity, was for the Independence celebrations on 6 September 1968.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Original photography by John Ewart Marnham, reproduced by kind permission of Mrs Elizabeth S. Marnham.</p>