Pray for Eswatini

The Kingdom of Eswatini is one of Africa’s smallest nations and one of the world’s last absolute monarchies. It is a landlocked country bordered by South Africa and Mozambique. This nation is filled with natural beauty shown through its people, landscapes, and traditions. Despite western influences, Eswatini’s culture has remained intact. The Swazi people often wear colorful traditional clothing — a two piece outfit with bold print. The distinct shape of a person’s hut reveals their tribal identity. Most of the population live in rural areas as subsistence farmers.

Formerly known as Swaziland, the current leader, King Mswati changed the national name to Eswatini, citing a return to its ancient title before colonization. Although a small nation, the HIV/AIDS infection rate in Eswatini is one of the highest in the world, affecting 27% of those aged 15 to 49 and leaving 58% of the youth as orphans. In fact Eswatini is known as the country of orphans. Due to high poverty rates (59%) many women and girls end up in prostitution and contract HIV/AIDS. Children often live together, older ones caring for the younger, and about one in ten are malnourished. Eswatini also has the world’s highest number of Tuberculosis cases. 80% of those treated are also infected with HIV/AIDS. Drought, overgrazing, and soil depletion further contribute to national poverty, and nearly half the population is unemployed. Many are migrating to South Africa to find work.

Eswatini’s population is roughly 90% Christian, 2% Muslim, and 8% other minority religions. Although Christianity is the primary religion, many who claim to follow Christ are being led astray by false teachings such as Zionism, which combines ancestor worship with Christian beliefs. Lack of Biblical understanding and nominalism have opened the door for sexual impurity to take root even in the Church, contributing to the widespread devastation of HIV/AIDS. Even so, there is a strong evangelical community (20%) working together to reach Eswatini with the Gospel. The suffering of this nation presents an opportunity for the Church to tangibly demonstrate the love of Christ by meeting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of its people.