By Mfanufikile Khathwane (Intern)
MBABANE – Eswatini has joined the global community in commemorating the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Day today, June 19, 2025, under the theme “Restore the Land, Unlock Opportunities”.
Eswatini is already walking the talk as in the Lubombo Region, at Sigcaweni the community has successfully transformed a 15-hectare gully once a three-meter-deep dongha into fertile land, thanks to a collaborative effort spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture, the Environmental Fund, and local leaders.
In an interview on Eswatini TV, Sipho Shiba, Senior Land Planner in the Ministry of Agriculture, revealed that the project was initiated by the residents of Sigcaweni themselves, who approached the Environmental Fund seeking financial assistance. The restoration cost approximately E1 million, with E300 000 allocated to fuel alone.
“The dongha was a danger to both livestock and people. It even damaged nearby infrastructure,” Shiba explained. “Today, if you visit Sigcaweni, you wouldn’t even notice there was once a dongha “ he added.
The project Involved reshaping the land, closing the gully, constructing check dams, and planting grass and trees to stabilize the soil. These measures have successfully redirected runoff water and prevented further erosion.
The initiative was a community-driven success, supported by area authorities including the Member of Parliament, tindvuna, and a dedicated committee formed to oversee the restoration.
Shiba urged all communities across the country to act against land degradation, emphasizing that dongha threaten grazing and farming land, thereby reducing productivity and ultimately harming the nation’s economy.
A month ago, this publication reported a similar effort in Ekukhanyeni, where the National Disaster Management Agency and World Vision Eswatini partnered with locals to close a long-standing dongha.
As the nation marks UNCCD Day, Eswatini proves that through unity, awareness, and decisive action, land can be restored and hope can indeed spring from the soil.
(Courtesy Pic)