World Environment Day: Municipality Cleans-Up, Plants Trees in Mangwaneni
…citizens also educated about importance of keeping the city green and clean
The Municipal Council of Manzini last Saturday joined the rest of the world in commemoration of World Environment Day. World Environment Day is commemorated annually on the 5th of June. The commemoration encourages worldwide awareness and action for the protection of the environment. This year’s theme is ‘Ecosystem Restoration’. As part of this year’s commemoration, the Municipal Council of Manzini organised a 2-hour clean-up campaign; with focus being Mangwaneni informal settlement and along the nearby Mzimnene River. The Municipality targeted the area around Mangwaneni because it had noted that the Mzimnene river was polluted with different types of pollutants; including solid waste (paper and plastic), liquid waste (waste water from bathing and cleaning of household items), and human waste. This is in line with Goal Number Six of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (Clean Water and Sanitation); which relates to ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. These pollutants affect aquatic life, livestock and humans that use the river as a source of water downstream.
The Municipality deemed it critical that residents of Mangwaneni be sensitized against such unacceptable waste disposal practices in order to protect the environment. Indigenous trees were also planted along the Mzimnene River as part of a city greening programme so to contribute towards combating issues of climate change and soil erosion. Citizens (not only residents of Mangwaneni but the entire city) are urged to refrain from indiscriminate dumping or disposal of waste along streams and all other places that are not designated for waste disposal. On a positive note; the Municipality takes this opportunity to express its appreciation to Mangwaneni residents for coming out in their numbers in support of the clean-up exercise. Over 150 residents, young and old, women and men, came out and participated in the clean-up exercise. The Municipality also appreciates their active participation during the interactive educational talk that took place in relation to environment protection. The issues that the residents raised have been noted and effort will be made to have them addressed.
…BORDER TO BORDER CYCLE RACE: TEMPORARY TRAFFIC FLOW INTERRUPTIONS IN MANZINI THIS SATURDAY
Motorists are notified that there will be temporary traffic flow interruptions in the City of Manzini during the morning hours of this coming Saturday (12th June 2021). This is meant to allow cyclists to pass through the city as part of the Oshoek–Lavumisa Border to Border cycle race which is organised by Eswatini Cycling. The cyclists will have a brief stop-over at King Somhlolo Park after which they will proceed to their destination. In view of the above, some of the streets, namely; MR3 West (from KaKhoza to Riverstone Mall), Ngwane street (the main street into the city from the Nazarene direction), Martin street (from Eswatini National Provident Fund to the Post Office), and Nkoseluhlaza street will have one lane temporarily dedicated to the cyclists as they come into the city. Same will apply to Nkoseluhlaza, Louw and Ngwane streets as well as the MR3 East when the cyclists depart from King Somhlolo Park to their destination. Traffic police will be on site to manage traffic flow and motorists are implored to cooperate with them.
The Municipal Council of Manzini, together with Eswatini Tourism Authority (ETA), have partnered with Eswatini Cycling for this race as a way of activating tourism in the city. The Municipality and ETA entered into a strategic partnership in the year 2019 towards tourism activation and economic development in the City of Manzini. The cyclists are expected to touch down the City of Manzini by 7am and depart at around 8am. Members of the public are encouraged to participate by watching and cheering the cyclists as they come into the city and riding out. Those who would like a meet and greet with the cyclists at King Somhlolo Park are welcome to do so. On the same note, those who may be interested in putting up stalls at King Somhlolo Park to promote their products during the brief stop-over are also welcome to do so subsequent to prior arrangements with the Municipality. The Municipality encourages health and wellness activities in the city. Other sporting associations are, therefore, encouraged to consider partnering with the Municipality towards similar events. The diagram below shows the route that will be used by cyclists during the event;
MUNICIPALITY ENGAGES NEW SECURITY COMPANY FOR CITY PATROL
…Global Protection Services started operating beginning of this month
The City of Manzini has a new security company that is tasked with patrolling the city against public nuisance. Global Protection Services started operating at the beginning of this month and has been awarded a three-year contract. The security company has experience in the municipal space; having served the Municipal Council of Mbabane as well as Manzini Municipality. The core responsibility of the security company, as per the contract of engagement, is the enforcement of municipal laws within the City of Manzini; with focus being in the city centre and outward into the townships. Precisely, the responsibilities include provision of law enforcement services and public nuisance abatement, provision of a response to the issue of stray dogs in the city, the supply, installation and maintenance of an innovative security policing technology in the form of CCTV surveillance cameras in specific areas in the city centre, provision of support in the enforcement of Litter Regulations as well as maintenance of general public order.
Global Protection Services is on standby even during night time to provide a response against issues of noise, open burning and stray animals. Citizens are encouraged to continue reporting noise and all other municipal offences through the Municipality’s 24/7 Call Centre (800 2004/2505 7000) and action will be taken. Engagement of the security company is in line with the city’s strategic deliverable as part of its Integrated Development Plan (IDP); that of improving public order, security and safety in the City of Manzini by 2024. Citizens are, therefore, implored to afford the new security company the necessary support and cooperation. Global Protection Services security rangers are identifiable by a navy blue uniform/combat.
