BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
MATSAPHA – His Majesty King Mswati III has called on Emaswati to strengthen fire prevention measures, warning that fires destroying businesses and other structures are costing millions of Emalangeni and putting people’s jobs and livelihoods at risk.
The King said fires had recently destroyed firms in Matsapha and other parts of the country, raising concern about the financial losses suffered by businesses and the employees whose livelihoods depend on them.
He was speaking during the third edition of the National Fire Day celebration held at Matsapha International Airport, where he urged the public to take greater responsibility for preventing fires and reporting incidents promptly.
“The bad situation is that people employed in these firms lose their jobs, thus negatively affecting their livelihoods,” His Majesty said.
He called on Emaswati to remain vigilant and raise the alarm whenever they noticed a fire, allowing the Eswatini National Fire, Rescue and Emergency Service (ENFRES) to respond as quickly as possible.
The King emphasised that protecting lives, property and livelihoods required collective action, noting that the fire service could not prevent every incident without the active participation of communities.
He encouraged traditional leaders and businesses to continue educating communities and employees about responsible practices, particularly when handling open flames.
Farmers and landowners were also urged to take the necessary precautions when conducting controlled burning, while parents and guardians were encouraged to teach children about fire safety.
His Majesty cautioned that even a small fire caused by a discarded cigarette butt could quickly develop into a major disaster, threatening lives, destroying property and undermining livelihoods.
He further highlighted the danger posed by uncontrolled veld fires, particularly during the dry winter season, when flames can spread rapidly and destroy homes, agricultural produce, livestock, forests and grazing land.
The King called for stronger public awareness campaigns through media platforms to educate communities about the dangers of uncontrolled burning, the importance of early reporting and practical measures to prevent fires from spreading.
In a further call for preparedness, His Majesty encouraged Emaswati to keep small fire extinguishers in their vehicles, including public transport vehicles, commercial vehicles and trucks.
He said this could help people attempt to extinguish vehicle fires before emergency personnel arrived, provided they could do so safely.
The King also stressed the importance of equipping ENFRES with the necessary firefighting equipment and vehicles to improve response times and strengthen the protection of businesses, communities and investments.
He said a well-prepared fire service would give investors confidence that their investments, property and lives were protected.
His Majesty encouraged the service to continue upgrading its personnel’s skills to meet the demands of modern infrastructure, including high-rise buildings, while strengthening cooperation with other security forces and emergency services.
The King commended fire and emergency personnel for their dedication and courage, describing their work as a calling to save the nation.
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