MBABANE PLANTS 15 TREES TO STRENGTHEN CITY’S GREEN AGENDA

BY NONOPHILE KHUMALO

MBABANE – The Municipal Council of Mbabane has planted 15 trees at Drew’s Dam Park as part of efforts to promote environmental sustainability and strengthen the capital’s green agenda.

The tree-planting exercise, held on Monday in partnership with the United Nations (UN), commemorated United Nations Day 2026 and highlighted the importance of environmental conservation in building sustainable communities.

Municipal Council of Mbabane Chief Executive Officer Gciniwe Fakudze reaffirmed the municipality’s commitment to developing a greener city, noting that Mbabane had more than 20 parks that the council was working to maintain and improve.

Fakudze explained that the initiative was intended to bring the global commemoration of United Nations Day closer to communities through practical action that promotes environmental awareness and responsibility.

She noted that Mbabane had been recognised as the country’s green municipality for two consecutive years and was competing for the accolade again this year. However, she emphasised that the municipality would welcome another local authority receiving the recognition, as this would demonstrate progress in environmental sustainability across the country.

Drew’s Dam Park was selected for the initiative because of its development potential and importance to the surrounding community. According to Fakudze, the park is located near a school and residential neighbourhood and is already used by members of the community.

She expressed appreciation to the United Nations for choosing Mbabane to host the commemoration and acknowledged the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for its contribution to the initiative.

Fakudze further assured participants that the municipality would take responsibility for nurturing the newly planted trees to ensure their continued growth. She added that the council intended to plant more trees as part of its broader efforts to improve the urban environment.

Beyond enhancing the city’s appearance, she highlighted the importance of educating children about the value of trees and encouraging them to take responsibility for protecting the environment in their neighbourhoods.

Green public spaces play an important role in improving urban life by providing shade, supporting biodiversity, protecting soil and creating healthier recreational environments for communities. Well-maintained parks can also enhance a city’s appeal to visitors by offering accessible spaces for relaxation and outdoor activities.

For Mbabane, continued investment in parks and tree cover supports the municipality’s ambition to maintain an attractive, environmentally conscious capital while improving the quality of public spaces for residents and visitors.

United Nations Day is observed annually on October 24 to commemorate the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945. The tree-planting exercise demonstrated how international partnerships can translate global commitments to sustainability into practical initiatives at community level.

The planting of 15 trees at Drew’s Dam Park marks another step in Mbabane’s efforts to promote environmental conservation, while reinforcing the importance of collective responsibility in protecting and preserving the natural environment.