Mbabane – Shiselweni Regional Administrator (RA) Themba Masuku has commended the World Development Bank and the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs for hosting the Forest Fire Management Workshop, saying such initiatives play a vital role in strengthening environmental conservation efforts at the community level.
Speaking during the closing session of the Empowering Local Communities in Managing Forest Landscapes and Development programme held at the Hilton Garden Inn, Masuku described the workshop as “highly informative” and called for it to be held annually.
“This initiative should be held every year because it is informative, and such engagements help cement the knowledge in the minds of our chiefs,” he said. “As community leaders, when they are capacitated on how to take care of nature and conserve it, they will then preach the gospel in their respective communities, which will in turn benefit the country at large.”
The three-day workshop, hosted by the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs in collaboration with the World Development Bank, brought together traditional leaders from Hhohho, Manzini and Shiselweni regions to learn about forest management, conservation, and sustainable development practices.
Masuku expressed his satisfaction that the day’s discussions had focused on the importance of wetlands and the need to protect them. “I am happy that today the Shiselweni chiefs learnt about the importance of wetlands and how they can protect them,” he said. “Wetlands play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystems, and their protection should be a community priority.”
He urged the chiefs to take the lessons they had learned and share them with their communities. “Go back and relay these teachings so that nature can be protected,” Masuku told the traditional leaders, emphasizing that environmental awareness must start at the grassroots level.
Masuku also praised residents of the Shiselweni region for their continued respect and preservation of indigenous trees. He contrasted this with other regions, saying Shiselweni communities have shown great appreciation for natural heritage.
“In Shiselweni, you will never find indigenous trees being cut down and sold as firewood,” he said. “These trees are respected and preserved for future generations.”
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