JUBILEE CLEAN-UP SPARKS A CALL FOR A GREENER WAY OF LIFE

The city of Manzini woke up with purpose on Wednesday, 22 April 2026, as the Manzini Municipal Council officially launched a city-wide clean-up initiative, marking the beginning of preparations for His Majesty King Mswati III’s historic 40th Jubilee celebrations. But what started as a civic clean-up quickly became something far more significant, a rallying call for a permanent green revolution in the heart of Eswatini’s commercial capital.
By 8:30am, the energy was already palpable. Manzini Mayor Wesley Dlamini, Councillors, the Municipal Executive, partners, and members of the Manzini Committee had gathered, brooms and determination in hand, united by a single purpose: to restore the city’s cleanliness, dignity, and pride.

Setting the Route, Setting the Tone
Municipal Chief Health Inspector Musa Sibandze opened proceedings by mapping out the clean-up route for attendees, before introducing the theme that would carry the morning’s momentum:
“Sibutsa Kwasani” loosely translated as we pick up everything, even as little as a sweet wrapper.
The theme was more than a catchy phrase. It was a declaration of intent. No litter too small, no street too overlooked. From the busiest intersections to the quietest corners of the city, the message was clear. Manzini deserves better, and its people are ready to deliver.

Business Steps Up: Private Sector Joins the March
One of the most encouraging aspects of Wednesday’s clean-up was the visible and enthusiastic participation of the private sector. Joining the Municipal Council on the streets were some of Manzini’s most prominent businesses and brands, including FNB Eswatini, Pep Stores, Hungry Lion, Woolworths, and the Business Eswatini Association (BSA), among others.
Their presence on the ground sent a powerful signal, that the responsibility for a cleaner, greener Manzini does not rest with government alone. When banks, retailers, and business associations roll up their sleeves and take to the streets alongside elected leaders and municipal staff, it demonstrates a shared investment in the city’s future and its people.
It is the kind of public-private partnership that transforms a single morning’s clean-up into the foundation of a lasting movement.

More Than a Milestone
While the clean-up is proudly anchored in the lead-up to the Ruby Jubilee celebrations, Mayor Wesley Dlamini was emphatic that the initiative must not begin and end with the festivities.
“Yes, we are doing this in preparation for His Majesty’s 40th Jubilee milestone,” said Mayor Dlamini, “but it should not just end here. Let it become a way of living.”
His words resonated deeply with those in attendance. For the Mayor, a clean city is not a decoration put on for special occasions. It is a reflection of a community’s values, its self-respect, and its vision for the future. He called on residents, business owners, and civic leaders alike to carry the spirit of Sibutsa Kwasani beyond Wednesday morning and into their everyday lives.

A City Readying Itself for the World
With Eswatini preparing to welcome tourists, dignitaries, and visitors from across the region for the Jubilee celebrations, the stakes for Manzini’s appearance have never been higher. As the Kingdom’s commercial hub, the city serves as a first impression for many who pass through, and the Municipal Council is determined that impression should be one of pride, cleanliness, and a people who care for their environment.
The initiative also aligns with the broader Go Green Eswatini vision, which champions environmental responsibility, sustainable living, and community-driven action as pillars of national progress.

A Movement Rooted in Community
Wednesday’s clean-up was not just an official exercise. It was a community moment. Seeing elected leaders, municipal staff, corporate partners, and civic organisations working side by side on the streets of Manzini sent a powerful message: that environmental stewardship is everyone’s responsibility, regardless of title, sector, or position.
The participation of FNB Eswatini, Pep Stores, Hungry Lion, Woolworths, BSA, and others is a reminder that the private sector has a vital role to play, not just in economic growth, but in the environmental health and visual identity of the cities in which they operate and thrive.

And perhaps that is the most important takeaway from the morning. Not the bags of litter collected, nor the kilometres of streets swept, but the mindset shift that Mayor Dlamini and his team are determined to spark.
A cleaner Manzini is possible. A greener Eswatini is within reach. But it will only be sustained if every resident, every business, and every institution chooses to make it a way of life, one sweet wrapper at a time.