Mbabane – Shiselweni Region chiefs were instructed to spearhead the promotion of sustainable forestry methods that preserve natural forests and provide financial advantages to their local communities.
This came during Day 3 of the “Empowering Local Communities in Managing Forest Landscapes and Development programme”, held at the Hilton Garden Inn. This workshop is supported by the World Bank in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs.
During his presentation titled “Sustainable Wattle Management Framework Eswatini,” Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs officer Vumelani Dlamini unpacked the opportunities and challenges associated with black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) management in Eswatini.
He explained that while black wattle plays a dual role as a vital livelihood source and a contributor to rural economies, it also poses environmental risks as an invasive species. “Our goal,” said Dlamini, “is to empower communities to manage wattle in a way that enhances income generation while protecting our natural ecosystems.”
Dlamini outlined the potential of the wattle industry, which provides products such as timber, bark for tannin extraction, poles, and charcoal. Dlamini noted that local communities can gain access to premium regional markets through certification schemes such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). “Certification not only opens doors to better markets but also promotes governance, transparency, and environmental compliance,” he added.
A key highlight of Dlamini’s address was the suggestion of formation of cooperatives among small-scale wattle growers. He said through aggregation, shared services, and pooled certification, cooperatives can boost bargaining power and create sustainable value chains. He emphasized the importance of including women and youth in cooperative governance structures, targeting at least 40 percent female participation in leadership and benefit sharing.
He also tackled the challenge of wattle invasions (commonly referred to as Sandanezwe) across large tracts of Swazi National Land. To curb the uncontrolable wattle invasion, Dlamini proposed mapping and prioritizing affected areas for clearing, value recovery through bark and charcoal production, and restoration using indigenous tree species. These initiatives, he noted, are aligned with the PROGREEN/World Bank project, which links invasive clearing to community employment and livelihood enhancement.
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