MANZINI – Government officials, community members, civil society, and business leaders gathered on Tuesday at Tums George Hotel for the third regional consultation on Eswatini’s National Fire Management and Response Plan.
The session, held on 1 July, brought together a range of voices to shape how the country responds to the growing threat of fires. Similar consultations have already taken place in the Shiselweni and Lubombo regions.
The plan is being developed jointly by the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), following a national analysis that found Eswatini’s current fire response efforts are fragmented and under-resourced. Losses have included property, wildlife, and lives.
Speaking at the Manzini consultation, ENFES Public Relations Officer Mandla Dlamini revealed that 137 fire incidents have been reported across the country since the beginning of 2025.
“We are seeing a concerning rise in these incidents. Most of the grass fires—about 99%—are started deliberately,” Dlamini said.
He listed a number of contributing factors, including anger, low self-esteem, attention-seeking, mental illness, land clearing, negligence, and a general lack of awareness.
Dlamini also raised concerns about weak coordination among emergency response stakeholders, which continues to undermine firefighting efforts, particularly with limited resources.
UNDP’s Resident Representative Henrik Franklin told attendees that the private sector had proven fire management systems that could serve as a model.
“These systems have early warning tools, regular firebreak maintenance, trained community teams, and rapid response capabilities,” said Franklin.
NDMA CEO Victor Mahlalela stressed the importance of planning before disaster strikes.
“Preparedness saves money. For every dollar spent preparing, twelve are saved during a disaster,” Mahlalela said. He added that the fire response plan must draw on local knowledge and existing private sector systems to be effective.
The final regional stakeholder consultation will be held in the Hhohho Region on Friday, 4 July, at the Piggs Peak Hotel.
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