BY THEMBA ZWANE
MBABANE– Lositho Investment (Pty) Ltd has demonstrated its commitment to sustainable development and community empowerment after allocating an environmental management budget of E4.18 million for a proposed 200-hectare commercial sugarcane plantation at Mzaceni in the Hhohho Region.
The project, which will be developed at Nyonyane Sisa Ranch Farm 924, is expected to create more than 100 direct jobs for local residents, providing a much-needed boost to employment in an area where structural unemployment is estimated at about 40 percent. Community members have welcomed the initiative, citing the urgent need for stable income opportunities and economic growth.
According to the Executive Summary of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and Comprehensive Mitigation Plan, the project is classified as a Category 3 undertaking under the Environmental Assessment Regulations of 2022. This classification requires a full Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, reflecting the scale of the development and the importance of managing its environmental and social impacts responsibly.
The sugarcane plantation will utilise semi-solid sprinkler irrigation technology, with an annual water allocation of 2.4 million cubic metres sourced from the Komati River. This allocation has been authorised by the Komati Basin Water Authority (KOBWA) and is valid for five years, with the possibility of renewal subject to efficient and beneficial use of water resources.
A comprehensive community scoping process was conducted on 15 August 2025 at the Madlangempisi Community Hall. The engagement confirmed strong local support for the project, driven primarily by employment prospects and anticipated economic benefits. During consultations, community members raised important issues, including water resource equity, prioritisation of local employment, access to traditional medicinal plants, and the need for transparent benefit-sharing mechanisms.
The ESIA report highlights that the allocation of approximately E4.18 million towards environmental management reflects Lusitho Investment’s strong environmental stewardship. The budget is intended to ensure that economic growth is achieved without causing harm to the surrounding environment, reinforcing the company’s commitment to responsible and sustainable agricultural development.
Interested and affected parties have been invited to submit comments or objections in line with the Environmental Assessment Regulations of 2022. Submissions should be addressed to the Executive Director of the Eswatini Environmental Authority on or before 26 February 2026.
If approved, the project is expected to play a meaningful role in improving livelihoods, stimulating local economic activity, and setting a positive example of how development and environmental protection can go hand in hand in Eswatini.
(Courtesy Pic)
