BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MKHIWENI – The Kingdom of Eswatini has joined the global community in reinforcing efforts to combat land degradation and promote sustainable ecosystem management during the commemoration of United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Day 2026, held at Mkhiweni Inkhundla on June 17, 2026.
The national observance, held under the theme “Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore.”, brought together government officials, development partners, parliamentarians, traditional leaders, and community members in a shared commitment to environmental protection and sustainable land use.
The programme commenced with a field visit to the Embelebeni Rangeland Project under the Mbuluzi Ecosystem Restoration initiative, where participants engaged in tree planting and practical conservation activities. Key interventions included the reinforcement of soil structures through gabion works, where stones were strategically placed to reduce erosion and improve land stability.
Proceedings later continued at Mkhiweni Inkhundla, where stakeholders reflected on the central role of rangelands in supporting livelihoods, biodiversity, and food security.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister for Agriculture Mandla Tshawuka highlighted the urgent need to protect and restore rangelands, describing them as vital yet increasingly threatened ecosystems.
“Rangelands cover about half of the world’s surface, yet they remain among the most undervalued and threatened ecosystems,” the Minister said, noting that vegetation loss, land conversion, climate change, land degradation, and competing land uses continue to place increasing pressure on these natural systems.
He further emphasized that UNCCD Day serves as a global reminder for countries and communities to strengthen collective action toward restoring degraded land and building resilience against drought and desertification.
The commemoration also drew participation from the Ambassador of Taiwan to Eswatini Jeremy Liang, alongside members of the Ministry of Agriculture portfolio committee, Senator Fezeka Dlamini and Senator Celumusa Mndvoti, underscoring the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in environmental sustainability.
The initiative was led by the Ministry of Agriculture in partnership with the Eswatini National Trust Commission (ENTC) and the Mbuluzi Ecosystem Restoration Project, reflecting a coordinated national approach to land rehabilitation and ecosystem conservation.
Rangelands, which form a critical foundation for livestock production, rural livelihoods, and ecological balance, continue to face mounting threats from overgrazing, invasive species, climate variability, and unsustainable land use practices.
Community engagement activities and environmental awareness dialogues formed part of the programme, emphasizing the importance of local participation in restoring degraded landscapes and promoting sustainable land management practices.
The commemoration reaffirmed Eswatini’s commitment to global environmental frameworks and highlighted land restoration as a key pillar for climate resilience, food security, and sustainable development.
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