Tinkhundla
Encyclopedia
In Swaziland
, an inkhundla (plural: tinkhundla) is an administrative subdivision smaller than a district
, but larger than an umphakatsi
(or "chiefdom"). There are 55 tinkhundla in Swaziland: 14 in Hhohho
District, 11 in Lubombo
District, 16 in Manzini District
, and 14 in Shishelweni District.
According to the constitution
of Swaziland
, the system of government for Swaziland is a democratic, participatory, tinkhundla-based system which emphasizes devolution of state power from central government to tinkhundla areas, and individual merit as a basis for election or appointment to public office. The system is non-partisan since the constitution does not recognize political parties; although section 25 of the constitution allows for open freedom of assembly
and association.
Each inkhundla elects one representative to the House of Assembly of Swaziland
, the lower chamber of the bicameral parliament
(Libandla). The same trend is also applied when it comes to local government elections. This governing system was crafted by King Sobhuza II with the assistance of political scholars and lawyers. It came to effect in 1978 and was adjusted in the early 90s to suit the desires of citizens after they made submissions.
Swaziland
Swaziland, officially the Kingdom of Swaziland , and sometimes called Ngwane or Swatini, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, bordered to the north, south and west by South Africa, and to the east by Mozambique...
, an inkhundla (plural: tinkhundla) is an administrative subdivision smaller than a district
District
Districts are a type of administrative division, in some countries managed by a local government. They vary greatly in size, spanning entire regions or counties, several municipalities, or subdivisions of municipalities.-Austria:...
, but larger than an umphakatsi
Umphakatsi
In Swaziland, an umphakatsi is an administrative subdivision smaller than an inkhundla; there are 360 imiphakatsi in the country, each approximately equivalent to a local community....
(or "chiefdom"). There are 55 tinkhundla in Swaziland: 14 in Hhohho
Hhohho
Hhohho is a district of Swaziland, located in the northwest of the country. It has an area of 3,569 km² and a population of 270,000 , and is divided into 14 tinkhundla. The administrative center is the national capital of Mbabane. It borders Lubombo District in the southeast and Manzini District...
District, 11 in Lubombo
Lubombo
Lubombo is a district of Swaziland, located in the east of the country. It has an area of 5,947 km² and a population of 202,000 . Its administrative center is Siteki. It borders all three other districts: Hhohho to the north, Manzini to the west, and Shiselweni to the south...
District, 16 in Manzini District
Manzini District
Manzini is a district of Swaziland, located in the center-west of the country. It has an area of 5,068 km² and a population of 292,000 , and is divided into 16 tinkhundla. Its administrative center is Manzini. It borders all three other districts: Hhohho in the north, Lubombo in the east, and...
, and 14 in Shishelweni District.
According to the constitution
Constitution
A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. These rules together make up, i.e. constitute, what the entity is...
of Swaziland
Swaziland
Swaziland, officially the Kingdom of Swaziland , and sometimes called Ngwane or Swatini, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, bordered to the north, south and west by South Africa, and to the east by Mozambique...
, the system of government for Swaziland is a democratic, participatory, tinkhundla-based system which emphasizes devolution of state power from central government to tinkhundla areas, and individual merit as a basis for election or appointment to public office. The system is non-partisan since the constitution does not recognize political parties; although section 25 of the constitution allows for open freedom of assembly
Freedom of assembly
Freedom of assembly, sometimes used interchangeably with the freedom of association, is the individual right to come together and collectively express, promote, pursue and defend common interests...
and association.
Each inkhundla elects one representative to the House of Assembly of Swaziland
House of Assembly of Swaziland
The House of Assembly of Swaziland is the lower chamber of the country's bicameral Parliament.There are a total of 55 single-member constituencies corresponding to the tinkhundlas . 14 tinkhundlas are located in Hhohho District, 11 in Lubombo District, 16 in Manzini District, and 14 in Shiselweni...
, the lower chamber of the bicameral parliament
Parliament of Swaziland
The Parliament of Swaziland consists of two chambers:*The Senate *The House of Assembly The Houses of Parliament are located in Lobamba.-External links:*...
(Libandla). The same trend is also applied when it comes to local government elections. This governing system was crafted by King Sobhuza II with the assistance of political scholars and lawyers. It came to effect in 1978 and was adjusted in the early 90s to suit the desires of citizens after they made submissions.