ABSTRACT
This chapter traces the historical evolution of the urban informal sector (UIS) in Swaziland within the context of the structural transformations that have occurred over time. It deals with conceptual issues surrounding the definition of the UIS. The chapter focuses on the transformations which occurred in the Swazi economy over the period up to the end of World War II. It also focuses on those which occurred after World War II. For analytical convenience, the chapter discusses Swaziland's economic history up to the end of World War II into three eras. The first covers the period prior to the arrival of settlers and concessionaires. The second covers the period from the arrival of settlers and concessionaires to the partitioning of present-day Swaziland. The third era covers the period from the land partition to the end of World War II. During the pre-war years, mining was virtually the only major form of non-agricultural production.
