By Musa Mdluli

MBABANE:His Excellency Colin Wells,the United Kingdom(UK) High Commissioner to eSwatini has congratulated Yibutse Green Action for securing two hundred and eighty-two thousand, four hundred Rands(R282,400.00) donor funding from the British Embassy to implement an environment preservation project.

Yibutse Green Action was founded by veteran journalist Musa Ndlangamandla, the former Chief editor of the Swazi Observer.

“I congratulate Yibutse Green Action and the communities they work with on the great success of this projects.The way we manage our waste in our communities really matters.This project brought important principles around recycling and ethical waste treatment to communities in Eswatini and trained women and other leaders to incentivise their neighbours to take ownership of this essential service and to think green. I hope this will become a model for other communities throughout this beautiful country.”, said the British High Commissioner in a statement sent this Swaziland News on Tuesday afternoon.

Yibutse Green Action NPO, with the generous funding of R282,400 from the British High Commission, has embarked on two(2) pilot projects aimed at transforming waste management in Eswatini. 

The project incorporates innovative Climate-Smart Recycling and Waste Management Centres, being built in two constituencies, that integrate sustainable building materials and renewable energy solutions to create a model that aligns with global best practices in environmental sustainability. Other aspects of the project are community outreaches on proper waste management and youth empowerment.

The climate-smart recycling and waste management structures incorporate a bamboo sub-frame, clay-straw walls, and the innovative use of PET plastic bottles mixed with eco-friendly substances to enhance natural lighting. Designed to reduce embodied energy while maximising green energy efficiency, the centres will significantly cut waste destined for landfills by promoting waste segregation, composting, and recycling. These pioneering efforts are not only addressing Eswatini’s waste crisis but also serving as a blueprint for future sustainable waste management solutions in the country.

Funded by the British High Commission under Yibutse Green Action’s ‘Sustainable Solid Waste Management’ initiative, the project aims to strengthen cooperation between municipal areas, peri-urban communities, and informal settlements. 

This initiative directly benefits vulnerable groups, particularly women, youths, and people with disabilities, ensuring their active participation in the design and implementation of waste management strategies.

“We are immensely grateful to the UK Government, through the British High Commissioner, His Excellency Colin Wells and his entire team, for their unwavering support.Their investment in local organisations such as Yibutse Green Action is a testament to their commitment to Eswatini’s development and environmental sustainability,” said Yibutse Green Action Executive Director Musa Ndlangamandla.

The Executive Director said, the UK’s support for this initiative continues to reinforce its commitment to global environmental stewardship and its dedication to assisting smaller nations like Eswatini in tackling climate change.

Ndlangamandla said through this funding,the UK has played a pivotal role in reducing plastic pollution, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and fostering a healthier environment-directly aligning with its priorities under the UN SDGs. 

On another note, Executive Director said this investment has further cemented the UK’s position as a global leader in climate action while empowering vulnerable communities in Eswatini to build resilience against environmental degradation and the impacts of climate change adding that, “a key pillar of this initiative is fostering a shift in community attitudes and behaviour towards waste”.

Through workshops, awareness campaigns, and hands-on training, the project is empowering a minimum of 400 community members with the skills to manage waste sustainably.

“The youth and women, who make up over half of Eswatini’s population and are disproportionately affected by environmental challenges, are central to this initiative, gaining opportunities in recycling and sustainable livelihoods.

These state-of-the-art Climate-Smart Recycling and Waste Management Centres are a milestone in Eswatini’s journey towards sustainable waste management.By integrating local materials, harnessing renewable energy, and engaging local engineers and unskilled labour, we are creating not just infrastructure but also economic opportunities for the communities we serve,” reads the statement in part.

The Executive Director further emphasized that, these pilot projects are just the beginning.

”Yibutse Green Action, together with its partners and funders, aims to replicate and improve upon this model across Eswatini. The initiative seeks to establish long-term waste management solutions through formal cooperation agreements between municipalities and peri-urban communities, fostering institutionalised resource sharing and environmental stewardship.Currently, only 50-60% of waste in urban areas is efficiently collected, with a large amount, especially plastics, ending up in landfills or illegally dumping.The project will also drive a national movement towards a circular economy by reducing plastic pollution and encouraging businesses and communities to adopt sustainable waste recycling practices. Additionally, the formation of eco-ambassadors and environmental clubs will ensure that the project’s impact is sustained long after its conclusion.Yibutse Green Action has taken steps to ensure the financial accountability and long-term success of the initiative by partnering with the Coordinating Assembly of NGOs (CANGO) as the fiscal host through the CANGO Grants Management Facility. This arrangement strengthens the project’s governance while supporting Yibutse’s organisational development and capacity building,” he said.

 As Eswatini continues to face significant waste management challenges, this project provides a transformative approach to tackling environmental degradation, fostering climate resilience, and improving public health. With the continued support of partners like the British High Commission, Yibutse Green Action is leading the charge towards a greener and more sustainable Eswatini.