DIOCESE OF SWAZILAND
Diocese formed in 1968, a division of the Diocese of Zululand.
Cathedral: All Saints’, Mbabane.
Afrikaans
Arms registered with the Bureau of Heraldry under Certificate No 455 dated 14 April 1971. The blazon reads:
Azure, two Swazi battle-axes erect addorsed, handles Or, blades Argent, bound Gules.
Brownell[1] writes: “In these arms the Swazi battle-axes, which are traditional weapons of war, are bound back to back to form a cross, the symbol of Salvation. The colours blue, silver (white), gold and red are all found in the national flag of the Kingdom of Swaziland which was officially hoisted for the first time on 30 October 1967.
“Formerly part of the Diocese of Zululand, the Diocese of Swaziland was created as a separate entity following the granting of independence, within the Commonwealth, to the Kingdom of Swaziland on 6 September 1967.”
Bishops:
The first Bishop of Swaziland was A G W Hunter, consecrated in 1968. He has been succeeded by B L N Mkhabela (1975) and L B Zulu (who was translated to Mbabane from Zululand in 1993).
Afrikaanse blasoen:
Wapen kragtens Wapenbrief No 455, gedateer 14 April 1971, geregistreer deur die Buro vir Heraldiek. Die blasoen lui:
In blou, twee regopgeplaaste afgewende Swazi-strydbyle, rooi gebind, met goue handvatsels en lemme van silwer.
