It’s not just South Africa that is preparing to welcome thousands of football fans next year – neighbouring countries as far-flung as Mauritius are preparing to host visitors to the 2010 FIFA World Cup
Time: Local time is GMT +2.
Electricity: Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. The plug type
used is a 15-amp round, three-pin plug as used in South
Africa.
Language: The official languages are Siswati and
English.
Health: Travellers arriving in Swaziland within six days of having
been in a yellow fever infected area require a vaccination
certificate. Hepatitis A, rabies, polio and typhoid vaccinations
are recommended, as are malaria prevention measures for those
visiting the lowland areas. Bilharzia exists in some rivers, and
cholera outbreaks occur. There is an extremely high HIV/AIDS
infection rate. Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink
and food, including dairy products, presents no risk. Medical
facilities are poor in the country, but the tourist hotels offer
private services for minor problems. Serious cases can be
transported to South Africa for treatment. Medical insurance is
recommended.
Tipping: Service charges are not normally included in bills, but
tips of 10% are customary.
Safety: The crime rate is low and most visits are trouble free. It
is wise, however, to take precautions against theft, and avoid
travelling by road at night.
Customs: Homosexuality is illegal.
Business: In Swaziland business etiquette is quite informal,
however lightweight suits are recommended for meetings.
Entertaining and meetings often take place outdoors due to a
temperate climate. Appointments should be made in advance and
business cards carried for identification. Handshakes are the
normal form of greeting for both men and women. Meetings are not
restricted to business matters only and may take a while over
prolonged lunches. Business hours are generally 8am to 5pm Monday
to Friday with an hour taken at lunch.
Communications: The International direct dialling country code for
Swaziland is +268 and the outgoing code 00, followed by the
relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). The city code
(0)67 is used for Villaverde de Guadealimar only. The country is
covered by a GSM 900 mobile network, and an Internet service
provider is active. Post offices open weekdays from 8am to 5pm, and
Saturdays 8am to 11am. Public telephones are well distributed
through the towns and villages.
