Over 6,600 travellers cross Ngwenya border after busy weekend

May 30, 2026

Travellers queue to get processed at the Ngwenya Border Post as the crossing recorded over 6,600 arrivals in 18 hours following the MTN Bushfire Festival and Nazareth Baptist Church prayer weekend. Photo: Ministry of Home Affairs

Mbabane – The Ngwenya Border Post recorded a surge in traveller numbers over the past 18 hours, with more than 6,600 people arriving at the crossing following a weekend packed with major events, including the MTN Bushfire Festival and the Nazareth Baptist Church prayer gathering.

Vehicles line up at the Ngwenya Border Post as drivers wait to be cleared by immigration officials during one of the busiest border weekends of the year. Photo: Ministry of Home Affairs

According to figures released by the Ministry of Home Affairs, pedestrians made up the bulk of arrivals at 4,159, while 1,810 drivers and 631 passengers also crossed into the Kingdom. A single cyclist was also recorded among those entering. Departures during the same period stood at 2,779.

The MTN Bushfire Festival, one of the region’s most popular annual music and arts events, and the Nazareth Baptist Church prayer drew large crowds to Eswatini over the weekend, contributing to the spike in border activity at Ngwenya, the country’s busiest entry point.