SWAZILAND: New approach to shanty towns gives residents rights and responsibilities

Rather than bulldozing the countries growing informal settlements, Swazi authorities plan to give residents property rights and access to services under a series of new urban development projects.

"We want beautiful houses, not those built with stick and mud," explained Elmond Tsabedze, a 60-year-old shop owner who lives in an informal settlement known as Mvakwelitje, which hugs the rocky mountain slopes overlooking the capital, Mbabane.