BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MLAWULA – Officers from the Eswatini National Fire Rescue and Emergency Service (ENFRES) visited Rising Stars Generation Eswatini at Mlawula Nature Reserve to give participants hands-on experience in fire safety, including how fires start, spread, and how they can be safely controlled.
The engagement formed part of ENFRES’ ongoing community education efforts, centred on the belief that empowering children with knowledge today helps build a safer nation tomorrow. In the calm, natural setting of Mlawula, learning went beyond the classroom as participants were introduced to the science, discipline, and responsibility behind fire safety.
Rising Stars Generation Eswatini camps are designed to nurture confident, responsible, and disciplined young people through outdoor learning, teamwork, leadership development, and practical life skills. This environment provided the perfect platform for fire officers to engage participants in meaningful discussions about the role fire plays in everyday life and the importance of managing it safely at home and in communities.
The participants explored essential home safety practices and gained a clear understanding of how fires start and spread. A key highlight of the session was when Station Officer B. Vilakati demonstrated the Triangle of Combustion. He explained that every fire depends on three elements — heat, fuel, and oxygen — and that breaking the link between any one of these elements immediately puts the fire out.
The session then moved from discussion to action as officers conducted a live fire drill demonstration. Excitement filled the air as some participants wore fire helmets and practised basic fire suppression techniques under supervision. The hands-on experience gave them a glimpse into the bravery, focus, and discipline required of firefighters.
More than just a demonstration, the visit served as a mentorship moment that aligned with the camp’s mission of grooming future leaders. The participants left not only informed but inspired to become responsible protectors of their homes and communities.
Simanga Makhanya, National Coordinator and Co-founder of Rising Stars Generation Eswatini, said:
“As Rising Stars Generation Eswatini, our motivation is rooted in the growing need to strengthen the bond between parents and their children in today’s rapidly evolving society. Parents face numerous challenges—from communication breakdowns to behavioural issues and external social pressures. We believe that by equipping parents with the right tools and knowledge, we can foster healthier families, prevent risky behaviour among youth, and build a more resilient generation. ”
Through initiatives like this, ENFRES continues to show that fire safety education is a shared responsibility and that today’s rising stars are tomorrow’s guardians of the nation.
#ENFRES #FireSafety #RisingStars #MlawulaNatureReserve #EswatiniPositiveNews #StaySafe
