Text : Métilde Wendenbaum, Photo : Mxolisi Mduli
This is the story of a young man called Mxolisi Mdluli, also known as Myxos, born in Swaziland. Like so many in his country, Myxo went to school and got his certificates as a Mechenic for light vehicles and later did a certificate for heavy vehicles, but then couldn’t find a job. In 1997 he came up with the idea of inviting travellers to experience his country in ways that only an insider such as himself could manage. He talked with a local community, and everyone got together and fixed up a compound for travellers : "Kaphunga Farm’s Liphupho Lami Holiday Camp." In Swazi, Liphupho Lami means "My dream."
Visitors are then invited to experience community life on the farm of Kaphunga. This farm is located at about 55 kms from the nearest town Manzini, in the hills of Swaziland. The 4000 acres of farmland belong to the local community and provide food for local consumption and surplus for sale among themselves and the national markets.
The visitors may one day learn how the Swazi brew traditional beer, help villagers in construction of local community schools, learn the siSwati language or organise a picnic, and the next maybe they may take part in local traditional dances and story-telling, go hiking or mountain biking, visit Manzini people’s market, Lizard spotting, or visit Swazi families’ community and discover their day to day life style.
The visitors stay in traditionally Swazi built houses using the local material collected within the area. There are three beehive huts, three rondavells, and a bon fire house. Guests sleep on the floor with traditional sleeping mats plus a mattress with sheets and pillows. Lamps and candles are used for light. 20 people can be accommodated in the houses.
A Bucket shower is available between the rocks outside the fence. There is a pit latrine overlooking the valley and it offers amazing views while answering the call of nature. " The loo with a view". There is a door for those who are shy, but it should be left open to enjoy the wonderful view.
The guide brings water from town but visitors can bring their own water bottles. Water is available from a nearby stream for those who trust their stomach. Guests are given the opportunity to assist the Swazi ladies preparing the meals, on open fires. Everyone is seated around the fire, exchanging views and experiences. All products come from own field which is planted by the visitors themselves.
One of the future projects is also to create a big community garden entertained by the whole community.
Traditional dances are performed by a group of the school, and local craftworks produced by the community are for sale but not on a big scale. Mxolisi Mdluli, co-founder of the project is getting at present the community together in order to produce more hand crafted objects.
Visitors have the opportunity to teach at the school for 30 mins, tell the kids where they are coming from and help them practising some English. The community even noticed kids are now better using the English language !
Myxos is guiding two main tours : a one-day trip (which would not involve sleeping with the community) or an overnight trip (which would involve sleeping in a traditional Swazi hut and spending 2 days at the community farm).
The experience not only gives tourists a taste of rural Swazi life but also provides a source of income for the community (rent for the traditional housing, transport, favours, goods, market produce etc...), provide employment to the community members so they can help their families (there is a guardian for the property, local guide assigned to do hiking trips, cleaning lady / laundry, cooking of traditional food etc.). Money paid during the stay is also used to help buy materials for schools, stationary and paintings. School fees are also paid with this financial support. Moreover the management works to maintain the natural beauty of the Kaphunga area and are committed to environmental sustainability - all housing is made from traditional materials, water is used sparingly and toilet facilities comply with environmental standards !
Contact
Mxolisi Mdluli
Box 2455, Manzini, Swaziland
Tel : (+268) 5058363
Mobile : (+268) 6044102
E-mail : Wozanawe@realnet.co.sz
Internet : www.myxosswaziland
Internet : http://www.earthfoot.org/places/sz001.htm
Community Information
This community has played an important role in the Building of the Swazi Kingdom : it is where the first Incwala ceremony was first celebrated (the celebration of the first harvest of the year and also considered as national prayer to the Swazi people). This is a community of about 3500 people all sparsely populated over the hills.
Early in the 1900’s the Swazi people were very powerful fighters and that is why they are even today remain a mystery how the South African did not take over such a small country. The mountains were used in those days as hiding places especially during the wars and they were very good shelters for women and livestock ; people could stay there for days without coming out to the surface (Caves). Most of the mountains are considered sacred because today they are used as burial grounds for the Dlamini Clan that is the founder of the Swazi Nation.
The Swazi People used to be gatherers of wild plants and berries and fruits and also hunters. As the time, they were also fighting for the rich land for cultivating ; nowadays there are numerous farmers of small scale (subsistence farmers) growing mainly maize, sorghum, ground nuts, sweet potatoes, beans of all kinds etc.
Types of Services Offered :
In the region : Hiking routes, mountain biking, traditional dance group, local craftworks. Visit the local school ; visit the families to see the normal day to day life style of the Swazi people.
Types of Tours :
Type of clients : families with children, seniors, groups, singles
During the Summer it’s a lot greener and better place to be and the people are happier there is more food in the fields and there is more things to do and see.
Duration of stay : one day, or one night and two days, or longer stays can be arranged for groups that want to take part in the community : e.g. the school tour proposing educational tours on environmental studies and culture.
Location : Community Farm of Kaphunga is located at about 55 kms from the nearest town Manzini, in the hills of Swaziland (145mins) from the capital city ; 120mins from International Airport ;
Short description of the place and services offered, highlights :
Liphupho Lami offers a best opportunity to visitors to find out about the Swazi Culture and traditions get an insight of the people in the rural Swaziland. Visitors can stay in traditional huts (they are dome shaped and they are made of grass from the bottom till the top).with in the community. –meeting the villagers and practicing the language.
"Myxo’s Backpackers” lodge located in Manzini. Tours to the village are arranged from here. For hikers, there are now a multitude of trails available. Overnight and day trips can be arranged. Staying with this backpackers you will be in company of the Swazis not only other travellers and that gives you the opportunity to find out about the inns and outs of the country.
Name of the place : Swazi Life at Kaphunga Farm’s Liphupho Lami Holiday Camp
Recommended Tours :
Title : Rural Swazi life in a community farm
Duration : 2 days
Type of activities : Meet and befriend the villagers, try your hand at cattle dipping, visit the local school, hike through the most scenic country side in Swaziland, mountain biking in the hills, picnic on a mountain top.try some local brewer.
Departure dates : all year long
Total price : Overnight 44 Eur. and 33 Eur. for day trip
This includes local lunch at the farm, guided excursion programs (But its always best to book before hand since price change), Transportation to and from the village farm, guiding, Lunch, dinner, Accomodation, Breakfast at the Manzini Market.
The mountain biking, and any kind of entertainment (dancing, horse riding because we will have it in the future) is not included in the payment.
Accommodations : Sleep in traditional huts on grass mats (mattrresses are available for softies). Swazi traditional food is cooked and clean boiled water is available or purified water.
Booking : direct to data mentioned above
Size of the groups : up to 15
Conditions requises : all ages and public
Weather Conditions : the best time to visit the village is February- June then its more cooler. Best time to visit is in the summer time : August – January but then it’s a little hotter.