The Swazi or Swati language (Swazi: siSwati ) is a Bantu language of the Nguni group spoken in Swaziland and South Africa by the Swazi people. The number of speakers is estimated to be in the region of 3 million. The language is taught in Swaziland and some South African schools in Mpumalanga, particularly former KaNgwane areas. Swazi is an official language of Swaziland (along with English), and is also one of the eleven official languages of South Africa. Although the preferred term is “Swati” among native speakers, in English it is generally referred to as Swazi. Swazi is most closely related to the other “Tekela” Nguni languages, like Phuthi and Northern Transvaal (Sumayela) Ndebele, but is also very close to the “Zunda” Nguni languages: Zulu, Southern Ndebele, Northern Ndebele, and Xhosa.
