Goal to Transform Manzini City Schools into Green Schools by 2030
The Municipal Council of Manzini, in collaboration with the Eswatini Environment Authority and UNESCO (United Nations, Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation), is in the process of undertaking a significant initiative to transform the city’s schools into green schools by 2030. A green school is an institution that integrates environmental stewardship into its core values and practices. This initiative involves making schools more sustainable through measures such as energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management and embedding environmental education into the curriculum; all in alignment with the Green School Quality Standard. The Green School Standard aims to create climate-ready ‘Green Schools’ that will act as agents of social change, foster global citizenship and community action as well as climate action into all aspects of the school to instil a sustainable culture. The schools will educate learners about eco-friendly practices, minimise their ecological footprints and adopt sustainable governance policies. Activities will include promotion of energy saving habits, establishment of rain gardens with native plants, investment in climate resilient infrastructure, organising community clean-up campaigns, organising awareness campaigns for the school and surrounding communities, organising field trips to community spaces and resources as well as establishing small scale school farms. The expected outcome of this initiative is development of a strong culture of environmental stewardship amongst learners at their young age. The ultimate goal is to empower current and future generations to build a more sustainable, equitable and just society through their choices and actions. Thirteen teachers from various schools in the Manzini urban area have already been trained and empowered by the Municipality and its partners on the green school quality standards. The educators have made a commitment to lead and champion this transformative initiative within their schools. This ambitious project by the Municipality aims to reshape the educational landscape of the city, fostering a generation of learners who are conscious of their environmental impact and dedicated to sustainable living.
…MOTORISTS URGED TO DESIST FROM PARKING ON WALKWAYS
The Municipal Council of Manzini would like to stress the importance of keeping pedestrian walkways (also referred to as sidewalks) free from vehicles to ensure pedestrian safety and accessibility. When vehicles are parked on walkways, pedestrians find themselves forced to jaywalk onto the roadway, putting their safety at risk in terms of traffic accidents. This particularly affects vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities, the elderly and school-going children who may find it challenging to manouvre around obstructed sidewalks. Beyond safety concerns, blocked pedestrian walkways compromise the city’s aesthetic appeal. They create an unwelcoming environment for pedestrians; discouraging walking as a means of moving around the city and thereby contributing to traffic congestion. Moreover, since walkways are not meant to carry weight beyond that of a human being, parking of vehicles on sidewalks often results in damage to the infrastructure, making the sidewalks uneven and not user-friendly. Motorists are urged to adhere to responsible parking practices by using designated parking bays. The Municipality desires the City of Manzini to remain safe, inclusive and pedestrian-friendly for everyone. The Municipality will continue to clamp vehicles that are found parked in undesignated parking areas.
…RECOGNISING EXCELLENCE, TRUST: MUNICIPALITY CELEBRATES WORLD ACCREDITATION DAY
In a celebration of quality, precision and trust, the Municipal Council of Manzini joined hands with stakeholders including the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, to commemorate World Accreditation Day. The annual event, observed globally on the 9th of June, serves as a reminder of the crucial role that accreditation plays in ensuring confidence in goods, services and systems across various sectors. Under the theme “Accreditation: Empowering Tomorrow and Shaping The Future,” the event in Manzini highlighted the Municipality’s commitment to upholding international standards and promoting sustainable development practices. The Municipality’s laboratory is accredited in accordance with the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Standard. The commemoration kicked-off with a series of insightful discussions and presentations, emphasising the significance of accreditation in driving innovation, enhancing competitiveness and safeguarding public health and safety. Experts from diverse fields shared their expertise on how accreditation contributes to the achievement of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); particularly in areas such as healthcare, environmental protection and consumer protection. As the Municipality continues its journey towards excellence, it remains firmly committed to harnessing the power of accreditation to drive positive change and prosperity in the city. The Municipality encourages citizens from within and outside the city to continue making use of the laboratory to test food quality, potable water and surface water.
…REMINDER FOR PROPERTY OWNERS TO PAY OUTSTANDING RATES
The Municipal Council of Manzini encourages Manzini property owners to settle their outstanding rates as soon as possible; particularly those who have not made any payments since the new rates bills were issued in April 2024. Timely payments contribute to the smooth functioning of the Municipality. It is also advisable to pay on time in order to avoid penalties and interest. A significant increase in unpaid bills results in the Municipality experiencing financial strain and thus rendering it unable to provide services to the city at the rate that is expected. Ratepayers who will fail to settle their bills or make payment arrangements with the Finance Department after this notice will receive letters of demand. A letter of demand marks the beginning of the Court process of rates recovery. To avoid service disruptions, ratepayers are encouraged to contact the Municipality’s rates collection team for purposes of making payment arrangements. The Municipality has a number of rates payment options including electronic funds transfer (the Municipality has accounts with all the banks in the Kingdom of Eswatini), Eswatini MTN Mobile Money, Eswatini Mobile e-Mali, debit order arrangements, swiping or cash payment at the Rates Hall. Quite recently, the Municipality introduced a USSD Code (*440#); which enables ratepayers to check their outstanding balances and make payment through the same platform. For more information or assistance in as far as rates payment is concerned, ratepayers may contact Nomfundo Mhlanga (7916 3832), Dumisa Dlamini (7912 1169) or Busisiwe Zulu (7916 3802).
