Urban October: A Time for Towns and Cities to Reflect on SDG 11
The month of October is a time whereby cities of the world shine a light on urban areas including sustainable development as well as experienced challenges. It is a time where towns and cities reflect on how they are doing as a contribution to realization of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 11 as well as other SDGs. All of this happens under the banner of ‘Urban October’. Urban October commences with the commemoration of the World Habitat Day on the first week of October and ends with celebration of World Cities Day on the last week of the same month. Today’s article is a highlight of how the City of Manzini fares on this aspect; as guided by the World Habitat theme of “Resilient Urban Economies. Cities as Drivers of Growth and Recovery”. The article dissects how the city has gone towards achievement of the targets under SDG 11;
QUESTION:
How is the city doing with regard to target 11.1; which is, safe and affordable housing?
ANSWER:
There is a lot that the Municipal Council of Manzini, working hand-in-hand with the national Government, particularly the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (MHUD) is doing with regard to target 11.1. If you go to Moneni today, for example, you will find a well-planned human settlement. Moneni is no longer the slum that it used to be. Moneni residents have been allocated title deed plots under the 99-year lease arrangement. This is a form of empowerment as they can now access bank funding and use those plots as security. Furthermore, Moneni residents who have fully paid for their plots are now permitted to build safe houses that meet the urban standard. Moneni residents also enjoy clean running water from the comfort of their homes. Moreover, there is sewer reticulation, which enables them to use flush toilets like all other urban citizens. Road infrastructure is also one of the world’s best in Moneni. Moneni residents now cruise on surfaced roads. Moreover, high mast lights have been installed within the settlement in order to provide the much needed safety and security. There are plans in place to develop other informal settlements such as Mangwaneni, Old Zakhele, and Murray Camp, in the near future. However, it all depends on funds availability. The Municipality has also recently been able to deliver a new township by the name of Mkhosi Township wherein it managed to sell over 100 plots to first-time property owners at affordable prices. A number of houses are already coming up in Mkhosi Township. Funds permitting, the Municipality desires to commence phase II of Mkhosi Township.
QUESTION:
SDG 11 also advocates for inclusive and sustainable urbanization. What strides has the City of Manzini made in this respect?
ANSWER:
The City of Manzini stands out as one of the most inclusive cities in the world. When you go to the City of Manzini you find all kinds of people in terms of race, colour, religion, socio-economic status and other demographics. All of these come to the city, largely as a result of rural-urban migration, to earn a living as well as pursue other aspirations. The Municipality does its best to ensure it creates a conducive environment for all of them to thrive; without discrimination. In the face of a relatively high unemployment rate, the Municipality provides opportunities for citizens to earn a living through informal trade. As a result, the City of Manzini currently has over 4,000 players in the informal business space, who are involved in a myriad of business activities at a smaller scale. The Municipality also facilitates for people with disabilities to enjoy a share in this space. The formal business space is also driven by both native Emaswati and foreign direct investment. On the social front, the Municipality takes care of various citizens with different social challenges. For example, at least 1,500 underprivileged children receive a meal per day and basic education in eight social centres that are managed by the Municipality; working together with partners. The Municipality also has a comprehensive programme for people with other vulnerabilities such as the elderly, children who are in need of social services, people with disabilities, people with mental illness, indigent citizens and others. Most recently, the City of Manzini became the first in the Kingdom to open an Autism Respite Centre.
QUESTION:
The globe is grappling with issues of climate change. What role does the City of Manzini play towards reduction of ozone depletion?
ANSWER:
Climate change is one of the biggest concerns for the Municipality. The Municipality does all in her powers to mitigate the effects of climate change. Just last financial year (2022/2023) the Municipality managed to plant close to 500 trees in the city; thanks to support from the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs. The tree planting programme is ongoing as the plan is to keep the city as green as possible. Other planned city greening initiatives include establishment of a botanical garden, introduction of a backyard gardening programme, greening of the city centre and many other initiatives. The Municipality has also started disconnecting from hydro power with moves largely focused on solar power. Some streetlights, for example, are already solar powered. This, again, is a programme that is ongoing. The Municipality has also commenced a project that seeks to minimize the number of waste that goes into the city’s waste disposal facility. A separation-of-waste-at-source programme has just been introduced in some of the residential areas; with greater focus being on waste recycling and upcyling. The Municipality has also recently established a buy-back-centre which buys recyclable waste from citizens. This programme also comes with the positive spinoff of economic empowerment for citizens. The Municipality is also in the process of increasing litter bin coverage as a means to discourage littering in the city. Working with partners such as the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), the Municipality is in the process of reviewing its disaster risk management plan in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030.
QUESTION:
What initiatives are there to ensure a well-planned city that meets global standards?
ANSWER:
Perhaps it is prudent to start by expressing the Municipality’s appreciation to property developers who continue to contribute towards property development in the city. The city today is characterized by massive and towering building infrastructure which are largely used for retail and office space. A whole lot more are in the pipeline. The Municipality plays a huge role, through its Town Planning Scheme, in ensuring the spatial location of these structures is well-planned. The Municipality is now working on ensuring that even the city’s aesthetics are well managed so that they meet global standards and that the city becomes attractive to investors and tourists. The Municipality, working with stakeholders, has recently been in the process of reviewing the city’s Town Planning Scheme. The new Town Planning Scheme is pro-skyscraper as it permits construction of up to 20-storeys in the City of Manzini. Furthermore, the Municipality plans to introduce an urban renewal programme; which, amongst others, will see city centre road infrastructure, including walkways, being improved. Street benches are already visible in most of the city centre streets.
QUESTION:
It is a fact that, globally, there is no city without challenges. What are some of the challenges the City of Manzini experiences as it executes its mandate?
ANSWER:
The following are some of the key challenges experienced by the Municipality;
- Shortage of land for further development. The new Town Planning Scheme calls for large-scale industrial activity in the city; and that requires space.
- A high number of ageing road infrastructure; which requires huge investments into road rehabilitation.
- Abandonment of houses; resulting in them being a nest for criminal activity.
- Illegal trading; particularly in the informal business space.
- A high rate of youth unemployment; which results in pensioner property owners diverting funds which would have otherwise been used to pay property taxes into provision of support for their children.
- The most critical one is sluggish payment of rates; which situation makes it difficult for the Municipality to deliver services to the optimum.
QUESTION:
What measures has the Municipality initiated to mitigate the effects of the above challenges; particularly the issues of low payment of property taxes?
ANSWER:
The current organizational strategy is emphatic on creation of partnerships with stakeholders. One of the lessons learnt by the Municipality is that global cities develop through partnerships. The Municipality has, therefore, recently adopted the Public Private Partnership (PPP) approach to development and service delivery. A number of PPP projects have been delivered in the city already; and more are in the pipeline. Most of the PPPs do not only contribute to city economic growth but also job creation. More initiatives are being explored for purposes of expanding the Municipality’s revenue streams. The private sector and public organisations are encouraged to approach the Municipality and propose areas of possible partnerships.