Mbabane – Deputy Prime Minister Senator Thulisile Dladla has said only God can save the Southern African Development Community (SADC) from the devastating effects of El Niño, as the region braces for threats to food production and livestock.
“Ngu Nkulunkulu kuphela umdali welizulu nemhlaba longatsi Elinino kwesha, suka,” Dladla said, emphasising the severity of the weather phenomenon facing Eswatini and other countries in the region.
The Deputy Prime Minister made the remarks while updating the nation on the anticipated effects of El Niño, which is expected to bring challenging weather conditions with serious implications for agriculture, food security and livestock production.
Dladla urged emaSwati to start saving whatever little they have to help sustain their families should the situation worsen. She said households needed to prepare for difficult times, particularly as the anticipated dry conditions could affect crop yields and reduce grazing for livestock.
She assured the nation that Government, together with relevant stakeholders, had already developed strategies to cushion the country against the expected effects. However, her remarks highlighted the scale of the challenge facing the region and the need for households to take precautionary measures.
According to information attributed to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the United Nations, the El Niño phenomenon is expected to persist into early 2027, with Southern Africa facing an increased risk of below-normal rainfall and extreme heat.
The phenomenon occurs when surface waters in the tropical Pacific Ocean become warmer than average, disrupting weather patterns across different parts of the world.
According to the supplied meteorological projections for Eswatini covering October 2026 to March 2027, the country could receive between 200mm and 400mm of rainfall during the six-month summer period, with temperatures expected to be above normal.
The Lowveld is projected to face particularly harsh heat and limited rainfall, potentially worsening conditions for farmers and livestock owners. These figures should be confirmed against the latest official Eswatini Meteorological Service forecast before publication.
The potential effects are also raising concerns about food security. According to the supplied reports on Eswatini’s drought preparedness, the country needs approximately E1.2 billion to prepare for and mitigate the anticipated drought, while more than 300 000 people could face hunger and severe food insecurity if crop production is significantly affected. These estimates require confirmation from the relevant Government department or humanitarian agency.
For Eswatini, the potential consequences extend beyond farmers, as reduced maize production and deteriorating grazing conditions could affect food availability, livestock health and household livelihoods. Prolonged dry conditions could also place additional pressure on water resources and increase the cost of living for families already struggling to meet basic needs.
The warning brings back memories of the 2015/2016 El Niño drought, which severely affected Eswatini’s agricultural production, water supplies and food security.
According to historical drought assessments, the disaster caused economic damage estimated at E3.8 billion and reduced maize production by approximately 64% to 67%, from more than 101 000 tonnes to about 33 000 tonnes.
The drought also resulted in widespread livestock losses. Historical reports estimate that between 80,000 and 88,000 cattle died, while approximately 638,000 people were affected by the disaster. More than 300,000 people reportedly faced acute food shortages and required emergency assistance.
Dladla’s appeal for emaSwati to save what they can therefore places household preparedness alongside Government’s planned interventions as the country prepares for the potential effects of the weather phenomenon.
With agriculture and livestock remaining important sources of food and income for many families, the coming months will be critical in determining how communities cope with any rainfall shortages.
Government’s response, together with preparations by farmers, businesses and households, will be important in limiting the impact on livelihoods and food security.
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