By Mbono Mdluli
SHISELWENI – Turning challenge into opportunity, residents of the Shiselweni Region are lighting up their homes using an unexpected but eco-friendly energy source: cow dung (Bulongo).
Faced with an 8.2% electricity price hike starting April 1, 2025, locals have embraced an innovative solution—biogas generated from cow dung and household food waste. This creative approach is not only cutting costs but also sparking a movement toward greener living.
The biogas breakthrough is part of the Vutsela Programme, a community-led initiative spearheaded by renewable energy enthusiast Nkosingiphile Dlamini. He explained on Eswatini TV that the process uses cow dung placed in a special digester, where natural microbes break down the waste to release biogas. This gas is then captured, cleaned, and used as fuel to produce electricity.
“This method is changing lives,” Dlamini shared, highlighting its affordability, sustainability, and practicality. “We are using what we already have to create power, protect the planet, and improve livelihoods.”
Science backs the success. A study published on Science Direct shows that each kilogram of cow dung can yield up to 36 litres of biogas—enough to power basic household needs. And according to an AP News report, when stored properly, cow dung can be transformed into a compressed liquid fuel.
Residents who have joined the programme are already celebrating the benefits. “We’ve seen our electricity costs drop dramatically,” said one participant. “It’s reliable, clean, and best of all—it’s ours.”
By embracing cow dung-powered biogas, Shiselweni is proving that innovation can thrive in the most unexpected places. The community’s forward-thinking attitude is setting an inspiring example for energy independence and environmental care.
