EKUKHANYENI – Residents of Ekukhanyeni have taken action to rehabilitate a growing donga threatening homes, roads, and livelihoods in their area. On Wednesday, December 10, 2025 community members planted vetiver grass, a species known for its deep roots that stabilise soil and reduce erosion, as part of a larger natural regeneration programme supported by World Vision Eswatini.
World Vision Project Officer Kuhle Hlophe thanked both the community and the Ministry of Agriculture for their role in the restoration efforts. He said vetiver grass is critical in preventing further soil loss and protecting local infrastructure.
Local children and students shared how the eroding land had affected their daily lives. Sinotsile, a primary school learner, said the donga had begun encroaching on homes and made access to services like the nearby clinic dangerous. High school student Siwakhile added that livestock sometimes slipped into the donga during rains, and school routes had become longer and unsafe.
The rehabilitation covers nearly four hectares and is giving families hope for future opportunities. Sinotsile said the restored land could soon be used to plant fruit trees, offering both food security and income for the community.
The project demonstrates a collaborative effort to protect the environment while improving the safety and livelihoods of Ekukhanyeni residents.
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