St John Association of Swaziland

Who we are

From colonial times, First Aid has been a part of police training in Swaziland. For the administration of this training, the Police College operated as a Special Centre directed from London. In 1980, Dr Geoffrey Douglas campaigned for a National St John Council in Swaziland which would be more in keeping with the Kingdom's independent status. On 1st January 1982, a Charter and Constitution were approved. The new Council initially concerned itself with the establishment of Special Centres for the training of first aiders within existing institutions. Special St John Centres now exist in the Police College, the Defence Force, the Fire and Emergency Service, the Electricity Board, the Swaziland Railway, the Usutu Pulp Company, Royal Swazi Sugar Co-operation and the Ezulwini Sun Hotel. A public training centre in the Manzini Region was established in 1986. A small uniformed Brigade was founded, which has been active at national and other public events ever since.

In 2005 the Council decided to move its operation to Manzini Fire station where a special centre office for St John now exists.

Swaziland at a Glance

In this small, landlocked country, subsistence agriculture occupies more than 80% of the population.  Sugar and wood pulp are important foreign exchange earners.  Surrounded by South Africa, except for a short border with Mozambique, Swaziland is heavily dependent on its neighbour from which it receives most of its imports and to which it sends 60% of its exports.  Worker remittances from South Africa are important means of supporting many families. Overgrazing, soil depletion, drought, and sometimes floods persist as problems for the Swazi people. Nearly two-fifths of the adult population has been infected by HIV and AIDS.  Swaziland has the world’s lowest life expectancy at just 33 years.

What we do

  • First Aid Training
  • Ambulance Service
  • Ambulance services are offered during public duties for example at events such as horse racing, marathons, motor racing, soccer matches and special public promotions.
  • Participation in HIV and AIDS awareness programmes
  • Home Based Care
  • The Friends of St John Children Centre

We are establishing an orphanage named The Friends of St John Children Centre which is uniquely targeting children who have fallen through the gaps in the Government and extended family systems. Presently we have identified a house which has been donated by one of the affected families in Hhohho region, Mananga, Kagaasa area. This is a three bed room house standing on a three acre piece of land. The distance of the home from our main office is 120 km. The children will use the house during the day and return to their homes in the evening. To this end we are seeking donor funding for the moral, social, spiritual and academic up bringing of the children.

Links with other organisations

The Priory for South Africa is currently providing training updates in support of the work and activities of St John Swaziland.