Investigating Culture and Its Influence on Socio-Economic Development in the Kingdom of Eswatini

Culture (traditional or organisational) has tended to be either a resource or an impediment to socio-economic development (SED) because culture plays an important role in the socio-economic sphere. This study investigates traditional culture that influences SED in light of the prevailing socio-economic situation in the Kingdom of Eswatini (Previously known as the Kingdom of Swaziland). Based on the existing demographics and political state, most people of the Kingdom live in rural areas, where traditional culture is predominant, and poverty is prevalent. That justifies their advocacy for SED influenced by cultural and traditional structures as opposed to one influenced by the internationally inclined modern democratic structures. This study used quantitative approaches and collected data from 30 ‘SED initiatives’. Results of the study indicate that traditional cultural influence is most prevalent in rural communities, while the adoption of the new national constitution in 2005 brought an insignificant change in the way culture influences SED. It was also noted that cultural governance, cultural tourism, customs and traditions, gender discrimination and marginalisation of people living with disabilities are the main existing components relating to the area of the central phenomenon. Further findings indicate that Eswatini culture is largely epitomised by the existence of the Monarchy authority, as a wide range of beliefs, customs and traditions are entrenched in the core values of the same. This infers that the Kingdom of Eswatini is predominated by socio-cultural values, which necessitates a telling influence on SED issues.