BY NONTSETSELELO DLAMINI (INTERN)
MBABANE- His Majesty’s Correctional Services(HMCS) has taken part in a regional benchmarking exercise aimed at improving agricultural production and rehabilitation programmes within correctional facilities, during a visit held on May 2, 2026, at the Hardap Correctional Facility in Mariental, Namibia.
The initiative brought together correctional representatives from several Southern African countries, including Zimbabwe, Zambia, Angola, Botswana and Eswatini, to exchange knowledge and practical approaches to crop and food production under prison conditions.
According to information sourced from the HMCS social media page the benchmarking exercise focused on sharing effective farming methods, strengthening food systems within correctional institutions, and promoting sustainable practices that can enhance productivity and reduce reliance on external food supplies.
The engagement explored key areas such as cultivation techniques, farm management, and post-harvest handling, with participants identifying strategies that can be adapted to improve efficiency and yields across correctional facilities in the region.
Beyond food production, the exercise also highlighted the role of agriculture in rehabilitation, with programmes designed to equip inmates with practical skills, discipline, and work ethic that can support reintegration into society after serving their sentences.
The delegation from Eswatini was led by Deputy Commissioner General Vusi Kunene, who emphasised the importance of regional collaboration in enhancing agricultural systems within correctional centres. The visit provided valuable insights into improving planting, harvesting, and post-harvest processes while strengthening food security.
The benchmarking exercise also offered technical staff an opportunity to learn from their counterparts, with Farm Supervisor Raymond Dlamini noting that exposure to different operational models contributed to new ideas on improving crop management and overall production systems.
The knowledge gained through the engagement is expected to support the development of more structured and sustainable agricultural programmes within Eswatini’s correctional facilities, while also enhancing teamwork and capacity among staff.
The collaboration further strengthened regional partnerships among correctional services, creating a platform for continuous learning and exchange of best practices aimed at improving food security and rehabilitation outcomes across Southern Africa.
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(Courtesy Pic)
