Introduction to Manzini, Swaziland

MANZINI is Swaziland's largest city and its commercial hub. Almost all the country's industrial and commercial sector is based in or around here, and the city is dominated by office blocks and malls obscuring its few attractive edifices. With a rising crime rate and an atmosphere far less relaxed than Mbabane, Manzini would be an eminently missable place were it not for its outstanding market on the corner of Mhlakuvane and Mancishane streets (daily except Sunday).

Much of Manzini's market is devoted to fruit and vegetables, household goods and traditional medicines, while an upper section that spills onto the steps below sells crafts and fabrics. The crafts selection is bigger, more varied and much better value than any other market in Swaziland, while the fabrics – from Zimbabwe, Congo and Mozambique – are hard to find elsewhere in the country.

Just north of the market, on Ngwane Street, stands The Bhunu, one of Manzini's new shopping malls. The Hub, south of the market, on Mhlakuvane Street, is smarter and has a good supermarket and several restaurants and takeaways. Manzini's only other point of interest is its original Catholic mission, an elegant stone building (not open to casual visitors) opposite the new cathedral on Sandlane Street (parallel to Mhlakuvane Street).

Information by Rough Guides

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