Manzini is subdivided to 16 tinkhundla (or constituencies). These are local administration centres, and also parliamentary constituencies. Each inkhundla is headed by an indvuna yenkhundla or governor with the help of bucopho. The tinkhundla are further divided into imiphakatsi (or chiefdoms). The present tinkhundla are:

In 1992 King Mswati III declared Manzini a city and, ever since, development in the city has been growing in leaps and bounds under the professional guidance of the City Council. Recent developments include Manzini’s first mall (Bhunu Mall) which stands on the same site where there used to be the MTS bus station. The MTS bus rank had ceased operating following construction of another bus rank when a host of Swazi-owned bus services began operating.

Although none has been confirmed, there are three versions given; Swazis referred to white settlers as people “from the water” because they arrived through the sea. Note: The direct translation for “Manzini” is “water”. Swazis preferred the name “Manzini” because Bremer’s store had a river front (the Umzimnene River). Swazis said “on the water” (emanzini) when referring to Bremer’s store. Upon settling in the territory, Bremer and his partner W. Wallerstein purchased land near the Umzimnene River close to a homestead belonging to one Manzini Motsa. Therefore, Swazis preferred to say “kaManzini” when referring to Bremer’s store.

The Regional Administrator is a political figure with a focus on political and development issue in the region and also overseeing and presiding over chieftaincy issues. The four Regional Administrators are appointed by His Majesty the King through the advice of Minister of Tinkhundla Administration and Development.The Regional Administrator has a status of a deputy Minister responsible for Tinkhundla with such benefits and previleges as may be prescribed by the constitution. In term of roles and functions of the RA, He or She convenes and presides over chiefs meeting to facilitate development in the chiefdoms.

Supervising, coordinating and facilitating Regional and Tinkhundla development and public service delivery provided by all government Ministries and non-governmental Organizations at the Regions, Tinkhundla and Chiefdoms,Coordinating and facilitating the provision of office accommodation for all relevant government Ministries and NGOs at the Region and Tinkhundla Constituencies in consultation with relevant stakeholders and the national Government Ministries