BY TANDZILE DLAMINI
MBABANE— Eswatini is steadily emerging from a week of heavy rainfall that affected much of the Southern African region, with Government authorities, communities and regional partners working together to address the impacts and strengthen preparedness going forward.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Mountain View Hotel on Tuesday, Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Jane Mkhonta-Simelane explained that the unusual weather conditions were caused by “the convergence of warm, moist air from Northern Africa and moisture-laden air from the Indian Ocean,” resulting in persistent and intense rainfall across the country.
She commended the Eswatini Meteorological Department for closely monitoring the situation and issuing timely heavy rain warnings, while acknowledging the challenges posed by the rare nature of the weather system.
“Because this was an unusual weather pattern, the intensity and duration of the rainfall were difficult to predict accurately on certain days,” the Minister said, adding that such unpredictability is increasingly linked to climate change and mirrors a global trend of extreme weather events.
Minister Mkhonta-Simelane expressed appreciation to various stakeholders for their cooperation during the period of heavy rainfall. “We thank the various stakeholders for their cooperation in disseminating warnings while the situation unfolded,” she said.
Several areas recorded exceptionally high rainfall totals between last Monday and Sunday, including Siteki (243mm), Khubutha (240mm), Lomahasha (235mm) and Mlawula (219mm). Thursday marked the peak of the weather event, with some locations receiving more than 100mm of rain in a single day. While the rains brought welcome water to dams and catchment areas, they also caused soil erosion in some parts of the country, posing risks to agriculture, infrastructure, roads and water sanitation systems.
The Minister emphasised the importance of collective responsibility in responding to the damage, calling on citizens to play an active role in protecting the environment.
“There is an urgent need for all Eswatini citizens to commit to addressing this damage,” she said. While Government continues to mobilise resources to address erosion at a national level, community-driven solutions remain vital.
She urged community leaders to mobilise local committees to implement practical erosion-control measures, including placing logs and stones in dongas (gullies), clearing drainage channels to prevent further washaways, and protecting vulnerable slopes using mulch or fast-growing grass.
“Our land is our life; let us protect it. Let us remember that we move forward together,” the Minister said.
Although the extreme rainfall has subsided, Minister Mkhonta-Simelane noted that the summer season is expected to continue with normal to above-normal rainfall. The Meteorological Department forecasts that a cold front will pass through on Friday, bringing evening showers, followed by clear and sunny conditions early next week. Thunderstorms are expected to return towards the end of the week.
She encouraged the public to remain vigilant and continue following updates and advisories issued by the Meteorological Department and other authorities, including Disaster Management, police services, infrastructure technicians, and agricultural and health officials. She also stressed the importance of water safety, urging citizens to ensure drinking water is clean and to follow health guidelines to prevent waterborne diseases.
At a regional level, Eswatini continues to work closely with its Southern African Development Community (SADC) partners. The Meteorological Department is currently engaging in virtual consultations to assess the outlook for the second half of the summer season, with further discussions scheduled to take place in Mbabane next week.
Minister Mkhonta-Simelane described the regional collaboration as critical, noting that it enables development sectors to plan effectively for safety, resilience and sustained progress. As Eswatini recovers from the recent rains, she reaffirmed that unity, preparedness and community action will remain central to navigating the remainder of the rainy season successfully.
