BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
MBABANE – A discarded bottles, plastics, and other litter may seem small, but Nkonyeni College students and teachers, alongside Christian Life Community Church in Motshane, joined the global movement of World Clean-up Day, turning simple acts into a cleaner, greener future for their communities.
Armed with gloves, black bags, and a determination to make a difference, the learners cleaned up at Tricash, reminding the public that environmental stewardship begins with small, consistent actions. The initiative was made possible through the generous support of Nkonyeni Spar, which provided gloves, water, and other supplies.
World Clean-up Day, is observed annually on September 20, is a global social action campaign that mobilizes volunteers to remove litter and raise awareness about the urgent need for sustainable waste management. First proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2023, the day has its roots in a grassroots movement that began in Estonia in 2008 and has since spread worldwide under the motto “Let’s do it!”
The event highlights the power of collective action. Individuals, civil society groups, governments, and organizations across the world come together to clean public spaces, reduce waste, and inspire lasting change in communities. Its purpose goes beyond litter collection , it is about promoting environmental responsibility, sustainable development, and a healthier planet for future generations.
In Eswatini, the spirit of the day was felt beyond Nkonyeni. At Motshane, the Christian Life Community Church organized a unique campaign dubbed “5KM, Brooms & Big Dreams” where spirited youth and residents walked along the MR1 road, picking up trash along the way. What looked like a simple walk became a loud statement: a clean community is everyone’s responsibility.
The Motshane campaign demonstrated that change doesn’t always come from speeches or policy discussions. Sometimes it begins with dustpans, black bags, and the courage to bend down for a cleaner tomorrow.
At Nkonyeni College, such actions are seen as an extension of the school’s mission to nurture compassionate, responsible leaders rooted in Christian values. The institution emphasizes integrity, respect, compassion, diligence, and courage principles that are reflected in initiatives like the cleanup drive.
As learners and communities across Eswatini took part in this global movement, one message stood clear, protecting the environment is not an occasional duty, but a shared responsibility that requires ongoing commitment.
Together, from classrooms to church groups, Eswatini is showing that small steps can lead to big change and that a cleaner, greener nation begins with each of us.
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Courtesy Pic)
