The situation thus calls for multi-tiered strategies, the statement continued, if Eswatini’s cities, towns and villages are to be freed from waste, as littering in the face of legislation has already had an adverse impact on the nation’s environment, health and economy. It cited poor waste management as a result of littering and illegal dumping creating ideal conditions for the proliferation of pests and diseases, being unsightly and thereby a handicap for the tourism sector, and creating blockages in storm-water drains that lead to unnecessary flooding as well as contamination of water sources: the spokesman declared that such incontrovertible evidence dictated the need for immediate action.
He then challenged each individual Liswati to participate in reversing the country’s fortunes, beginning with behavioural change born of recognising that littering is an environmental crime. The speech encouraged all municipalities and towns to initiate measures for waste separation at source, calling the latter a service that is overdue and preventing hundreds of Emaswati from playing their part in waste minimisation. Then came government’s declaration that cleaning up the country is a “National Exercise”, and for that reason it was further announcing that the last Saturday of every month – from 8:00 to 10:00 – would henceforth be designated a national clean-up time. Under this regime, Emaswati were expected to clean their spaces, all public areas, the surroundings of their places of work, religious, educational, recreational, residential premises, vending sites, car parks and road servitudes.
It was said that cooperation and collaboration would be essential: companies should invest in their surrounding communities, while community members should dedicate their time and energy to making their environment clean. It was also the reason for addressing the campaign directly to municipalities and traditional leaders, who should be champions of the exercise and agents of change, mobilising their communities and wards, and leading by example. Government thanked the companies which had already pledged to support the initiative, and challenged more companies, institutions and organizations to follow suit and thereby ensure its sustainability. By protecting the kingdom’s environment and keeping it clean, the statement continued, remarkable strides can be made towards realising the objectives of the country’s Strategic Roadmap economic recovery plan, as a clean environment protects agricultural produce and boosts tourism, both key sectors identified by said Roadmap. Furthermore, the campaign also provides the necessary impetus for businesses to thrive and spread to new ventures, thus boosting infrastructure investment and innovation as part of government’s priority themes.
In this vein, the spokesman stated that the economic value and contribution of the waste sector have been largely under-utilised, with only a minimum percentage of waste recycled domestically and therefore not delivering potential rewards such as jobs and improved quality of lives. With a growing population, he continued, municipalities will soon run out of space for waste disposal and thus making it crucial that Emaswati devise innovative ways of re-using, recycling and recovering waste, and up-cycling it to increase its value. Government’s Strategic Roadmap focuses on, among other priorities, facilitating a vibrant private sector that will stimulate economic growth and recovery, creating an opportunity for businesses to tap into the waste management space to generate value products and jobs: among the key growth sectors identified by the Strategic Roadmap are Education and ICT, Mining and Energy. Some of the waste that is littering the country can be converted into energy through technology and innovation. Industries have a role to play by exploiting what government called “low hanging fruits”, such as waste streams that could easily be upcycled to high-value goods such as car tyres.
The spokesman concluded by also launching the Eswatini Ribbon: he described it as symbolising recognition of the Clean Eswatini Campaign, the country’s commitment to cleaning and greening its environment, and the partnership and collaboration towards a litter-free country. Companies that support the initiative, either financially or with cleaning material, will be recognised or awarded with the Clean Eswatini Token. “Government is therefore issuing a challenge to all companies to rise and be counted, and we will soon have Clean Eswatini Champions. To all of you gathered here today, by honouring this invitation to attend this launch you have already demonstrated your commitment to cleaning and greening the country. All of you are now therefore friends of the Clean Eswatini Campaign.”
Eswatini Environment Authority (EEA)
Its mission is to ensure that the kingdom’s development is environmentally, economically and socially sustainable by means of promoting sound environmental policies, practices and development which meet appropriate national and international standards. The main objective of EEA is to ensure that Eswatini’s environment is treated in a proper way now and in the future. “Environment” means, without being limited to, the atmosphere, water in all its forms, land, soil and subsoil, flora, fauna, energy sources, mineral, topographical formations with energy potential, geothermal resources, living resources, landscape resources and other elements, along with factors such as residues, garbage, waste and refuse, noise, living conditions in human settlements, and man-made products.