6 WWM S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 9 Sherman Allen General Presbyter Africa Swaziland is the second smallest country in Africa, with a total land area <strong>of</strong> 17,364.3 square meters. It is located in the southeast corner and is bordered by Mozambique in the east and South Africa in the north, west, and south.
The population <strong>of</strong> Swaziland is culturally homogenous—93 percent are ethnic Swazi <strong>of</strong> Bantu origin. Swaziland has a population <strong>of</strong> approximately 1.2 million people and a population density <strong>of</strong> 53.5 per square kilometer. The vast majorities <strong>of</strong> people (76 percent) live in rural areas and depend on smallscale agriculture for their economic livelihood. The country exhibits remarkable geographical diversity, with four major ecological regions. These regions divide the country into longitudinal north-south strips that descend in elevation from west to east before again ascending sharply near the boundary with Mozambique. Socio-Economic Situation Swaziland is currently facing a socio-economic crisis, exacerbated by increasing prevalence <strong>of</strong> HIV/AIDS. The country has one <strong>of</strong> the highest HIV/AIDS infection rates in the world, at 26 percent <strong>of</strong> the population aged 15–49 years in 2008. The infection rate among pregnant women increased from 3.9 percent in 1992 to 42 percent in 2004 before declining to 39.2 percent in 2008. The number <strong>of</strong> Orphan and Vulnerable Children (OVC) has increased to at least 130,000, resulting in a high number <strong>of</strong> children-headed households and high rate <strong>of</strong> school dropouts. The education and health systems have been greatly compromised by the impact <strong>of</strong> HIV and AIDS. In addition to the epidemic, Swaziland is challenged with high unemployment, economic and income inequality, and poverty. Swaziland has a growth rate <strong>of</strong> 3.7 percent. More than 40 percent <strong>of</strong> the population is below 15 years <strong>of</strong> age. The unemployment rate is estimated at 22 percent, and approximately 69 percent <strong>of</strong> the population lives below the poverty line. HIV/AIDS Pandemic In recent years, Swaziland has been hit hard by an uncompromising drought that has led to many Swazis failing to feed themselves, especially in the Lowveld region. This drought has led to more people relying on food donations, usually made by UN agencies in the country. The <strong>Church</strong> is committed to wholeheartedly addressing the HIV/ AIDS pandemic. We are currently mobilizing resources and have begun to implement small-scale projects such as small orphanages and small gardens being built on local ownership, using locally available skills and resources appropriate to the situation. Some local churches like Piggs Peak are paying school fees for some orphans. One <strong>of</strong> the boys is doing his last class this year. Other local churches like Musi in Mankayane are running a small preschool and a garden project to help approximately 20 orphans and vulnerable children. Also, there are district care points where the local churches contribute to assist the orphans and vulnerable children. Presently, there are six such points operating in the districts. There is a much bigger project in Johannesburg, South Africa, where a centre to care for HIV/AIDS victims has been acquired by the <strong>Church</strong> and leased from the government for 99 years. We hope to make a measurable contribution as funds and other resources permit. We are grateful that agencies such as the Renewal, Advancement, Financial Freedom Autonomy International Development Agency* (RAFFA) have visited this centre and have promised to assist where possible. Growth <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Church</strong> The <strong>Church</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>God</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Prophecy</strong> in Swaziland currently has a membership <strong>of</strong> 5,553. This does not include membership from Eastern Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) in South Africa. In Eastern Cape, we have a membership <strong>of</strong> 1,043 while in KZN, we have a total <strong>of</strong> 890 members. Approximately two-thirds <strong>of</strong> our members are youth. Women form a greater part <strong>of</strong> the rest <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Church</strong>, and men are the minority, with 460 to-date. Last year, 304 new members were added to the <strong>Church</strong>. Three hundred thirty-two individuals were baptized in water, and 1,998 were filled with the Holy Spirit. From 5,095 sermons preached by our ministers, 2,822 were saved, and 4,432 were sanctified from 115 revivals. Most <strong>of</strong> our revivals are conducted through tent ministry and open-air services in the different districts. To <strong>God</strong> be all the glory for blessing and anointing the ministries <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Church</strong> in this nation. Souls are being won to the Kingdom <strong>of</strong> <strong>God</strong>, and the <strong>Church</strong> has risen to take a recognized position in our society. Our national conventions continue to draw thousands <strong>of</strong> people, even outside our <strong>Church</strong> family. This has resulted in a problem with our national headquarters facilities, where we hold such meetings. We had acquired two adjacent plots next to our national building with plans to extend the facilities. However, this has proven to be a short-term solution as more people are coming, and the local municipality has complained that their systems cannot cope with the number <strong>of</strong> people that we are bringing to the small town <strong>of</strong> Piggs Peak. Therefore, we decided to search for a larger piece <strong>of</strong> land. The Lord helped us to find a farm along the road to the capital city, which is approximately 12 hectares. The idea to buy the farm was shared with the membership during WWM S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 9 7
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