Malkerns

Malkerns lies at the heart of Eswatini’s (Swaziland’s) middleveld, midway between Ezulwini and Manzini. This large, fertile expanse of farmland, bristling with the spiky grey-green leaves of the pineapple estates, is Eswatini’s breadbasket. Among the fields surrounding the small settlement of Malkerns are some excellent craft markets and workshops, guest houses, a riding stables and the Malandela’s complex – one of Eswatini’s premier tourist spots.

The Malandela’s complex has grown from a local family farm in the 70’s, to a lovely restaurant in the 90’s, and today has expanded into a tourist attraction and is highlight of many visitors to Eswatini. Malandela’s is home to the Malandela’s Guest House offering a comforting accommodation, and House on Fire, a performing arts venue routed within an incredible Afro-Shakespearean Globe theatre and home to the internationally recognised music festival MTN Bushfire. The complex is also the birthplace of social enterprise Gone Rural, a handweaving craft organisation that has reached global heights with their products shipping all over the world. Each Tuesday it’s possible to tour the workshop in order to see the weavers in action, and Gone Rural also offers the chance for visitors to visit the rural homesteads of their weavers.

Nearby Malkerns is one of Eswatini’s most successful craft outlets the Swazi Candles Centre. From what started in 1981 by two South African art graduates in an old dairy cowshed, has grown into a factory of candlemakers sending their products all over the world. There is an onsite shop selling a variety of modelled candles in vibrant colours, and now a whole array of other boutique craft shops and restaurants at the centre.

Other arts & crafts producers in the area are also now starting to offer visitor experiences in their workshops. These include a tour of Baobab Batik to learn how their products are made and at Tsandza Weaving, down towards the Usuthu River, as well as a weavery tour, it’s possible to learn how to weave on 1-3 day hands-on workshops!

Malkerns has developed hugely over the past 30 years from a little farming village to homing some of Eswatini’s most celebrated tourist attractions.

As well as the activities listed below, please go to the the Swazi Candles Centre and Malandela’s pages for details of particular activities available at those specific locations.