Municipal Laboratory Earns Prestigious SADC Award
The City of Manzini has once again placed itself on the map; not only for the Municipality but the entire Kingdom of Eswatini. The Municipal Council of Manzini’s laboratory has been honoured with the “Service of the Year” award at the recent Southern African Development Community (SADC) Quality Awards, held at the beginning of this month in Harare, Zimbabwe. This recognition marks a significant milestone for the laboratory, which was established in 2007 and achieved accreditation under the Southern African Development Community Accreditation Service (SADCAS) in 2022; meeting the rigorous ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard for Testing and Calibration Laboratories.
Situated within the Manzini Civic Centre, the laboratory provides its high-quality testing services to companies and individuals across the nation. The “Service of the Year” award underscores the laboratory’s exceptional service quality and excellence; distinguishing it amongst businesses in the SADC region.
The award ceremony coincided with the 2024 SADC Industrialization Week, an event that is dedicated to promoting quality, innovation and competitiveness within the region’s businesses. Following a thorough and rigorous assessment, competing with 29 other laboratories in the SADC region, the Manzini laboratory was selected as the best of the best due to its outstanding performance in delivering top-notch services.
The laboratory’s impressive achievements include the implementation of advanced food and water testing methods, adherence to strict quality control procedures and consistently surpassing customer expectations. Last year, the laboratory was also recognised as the best in the Eswatini Quality Awards under the Testing Laboratories category. Encouraged by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade and that of Housing and Urban Development, the Municipality aimed higher; taking on the challenge at the SADC level—a move that has evidently paid off.
These awards not only enhance the laboratory’s reputation but also assure customers of the reliability and excellence of the Municipality’s testing services. Through the laboratory, the Municipality offers testing services for potable water, borehole water and surface water. It also provides pathogen (bacteria) and food hygiene testing services. Residents of the city access all the laboratory’s services free of charge whilst non-residents pay a nominal fee ranging from E75 to E300 for food testing services and a minimal fee of E50 per water test.
…MANZINI YOUTH EMPOWERED WITH SEED CAPITAL ON YOUTH DAY
The 2024 International Youth Day was a momentous occasion for 17 young entrepreneurs from Manzini who took part in the Youth Entrepreneurship Educational Programme. After successfully completing a rigorous six-day training session, each participant received a certificate of achievement. However, the highlight for three outstanding individuals was being awarded a total of E10,000 in start-up seed capital grants provided by the Municipal Council of Manzini. This financial boost is aimed at encouraging the aspiring entrepreneurs to pursue their business ambitions with greater determination.
The Municipality expresses gratitude to BizInnovator Start Up, Entrepreneurship Education for Africa and the Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centre for their partnership in delivering the intensive business training workshop at no cost to the participants. The programme equipped the youth with essential skills and knowledge to embark on innovative business ventures; covering key areas such as business planning, marketing, finance, leadership, product/service marketing and pricing.
In addition to the formal training, participants benefited from the wisdom and experience of seasoned entrepreneurs and business coaches who volunteered their time. These mentors provided advice on overcoming challenges associated with starting and running a business.
During the award ceremony held at the American Corner within the Manzini Library, Municipal Council of Manzini Chief Executive Officer Lungile Dlamini, who was represented by Simphiwe Malaza, acting Director Corporate Services, shared an inspiring message with the youth: “We believe in your potential and are excited to see the remarkable impact you will make. The knowledge and skills you have gained are not just tools but rather keys that will unlock doors to countless possibilities. Use them to drive innovation, foster collaboration and build ventures that make a difference. Never forget that entrepreneurship is as much about solving problems as it is about creating value. Stay curious, stay courageous and, most importantly, stay committed to your vision.”
The Municipality remains committed to supporting the youth of Manzini in their entrepreneurial journeys. She is confident that the knowledge and seed capital provided will serve as a foundation for future success. The theme for the 2024 International Youth Day was “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways For Sustainable Development”.
…YOU ARE INVITED: STAKEHOLDER BUDGET MEETING TOMORROW
The Municipal Council of Manzini invites city residents and all other stakeholders to a stakeholder budget consultation meeting to be held tomorrow at the Council Chamber starting at 8am. The meeting forms part of the Municipality’s commitment to a participatory approach to budgeting; ensuring that they are afforded an opportunity to influence the Municipality’s budget for the 2025/2026 financial year. Stakeholder participation is pivotal in assisting the Municipality allocate resources effectively and address the needs of the city’s diverse community. Ratepayers, non-ratepayers, the business sector, ward development committees, the youth, persons with disabilities, church organisations, sports organisations, government departments and other stakeholders are encouraged to attend the meeting which is not anticipated to run beyond two hours.
The Municipality understands that some stakeholders may have work commitments or other obligations on the day of the meeting. They are encouraged to designate a representative to attend on their behalf.
…THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING IN KWAMAGOGO RACE
The Municipality extends its heartfelt appreciation to all city residents and other stakeholders who participated in the annual Number 43 KwaMagogo Legacy Run and Walk which was held last Saturday in Trelawney Park, City of Manzini. Their participation made the event a resounding success. The Municipality encourages all residents to continue engaging in regular exercise to maintain their health and fitness. A special thank you goes to residents of Trelawney Park for their understanding and patience during the event, as some streets were temporarily inaccessible to accommodate the runners. The Municipality also extends a word of congratulations to all the athletes who won trophies during the event.
