Manzini – Manzini has officially launched its pioneering Walk to Work Initiative, a first-of-its-kind campaign in Eswatini designed to promote healthier lifestyles, improve mental well-being, and advance environmental sustainability. The campaign will commence as of next week Thursday.
The launch, jointly addressed by the Manzini Regional Administrator Chief Gija Dlamini and the Mayor of Manzini, Wesley Dlamini marks a bold step toward transforming the city’s culture of mobility and workplace wellness while tackling rising public-health and urban-development challenges.
In a strongly worded address, the Regional Administrator positioned the initiative as a direct intervention to tackle the alarming rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension and diabetes.
“These statistics are not just numbers, they represent our neighbours, our families, and our colleagues,” he noted, stressing the need to shift from treatment to prevention.
He described the campaign as a proactive step by regional leadership to empower residents with simple, everyday tools to improve their health.
The Administrator also raised concerns about the silent struggle of mental health in fast-paced urban life. Stress, anxiety, and depression, he said, were taking a toll on productivity and overall well-being.
The Walk to Work campaign, he explained, is designed to promote mental resilience by creating a culture where taking time for personal wellness is encouraged, not overlooked.
The Prince further framed walking as a practical climate-friendly action, especially for Manzini commercial hub.
Daily traffic congestion and air-quality concerns, he said, highlight the need for greener mobility choices.
“This campaign is a tangible step towards a cleaner, more sustainable region,” he emphasised, calling it an investment in the future leaders of Manzini.
The Mayor of Manzini echoed the Administrator’s sentiments, expanding the campaign’s relevance to the city’s long-term development strategy.
He underscored the city’s duty to safeguard the health and resilience of the thousands of workers who power Manzini’s economy daily.
“Walking to work is a simple, powerful tool to boost fitness, mental well-being, and community connection,” he said.
Placing the initiative within the city’s Six-Year Integrated Development Plan, the Mayor highlighted its alignment with the pillar on sustainable urban living.
He outlined a vision of streets that are safer for pedestrians, greener spaces, better air quality, and a citizenry that embraces active living as part of everyday life.
The Mayor also extended gratitude to Chief Prince Gija Dlamini for championing the initiative, and to AMICAALL Eswatini for providing technical support and community engagement expertise.
Worth noting, the leaders highlighted that parking will be free from 8:00 A.M to 12:00 PM for participants of the campaign.
Both leaders emphasised that the Walk to Work Initiative is built on partnership, with the city, AMICAALL, sponsors, and regional leadership working in unprecedented unity.
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