BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MANZINI– From waste to wealth, young EmaSwati are being encouraged to look at discarded materials differently — not as rubbish, but as raw materials for innovation, entrepreneurship and a greener future.
The call is being championed by the Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development at the 58th Eswatini International Trade Fair (EITF 2026), running from August 28 to September 6, 2026, where recycled products developed by young people are demonstrating the economic opportunities hidden in everyday waste.
The Ministry’s exhibition in Hall 2 showcases practical innovations demonstrating how recycling can move beyond environmental conservation to become a source of skills, livelihoods and enterprise.
Speaking at the Trade Fair on August 30, 2026, Community Development Officer Sihle Dlamini said the Ministry remained committed to empowering young people to become active participants in the country’s economic development.
“This year, the Ministry showcases innovative recycled products created by youth who are taking charge of their economic futures,” said Dlamini.
The exhibition provides a practical demonstration of what can happen when creativity meets environmental responsibility.
Among the displays is a model showing how discarded materials can be transformed into construction products, including bricks and materials used for plastering houses.
Other innovations include non-slip tiles and durable furniture, demonstrating the potential to turn waste materials into useful products for households and businesses.
Dlamini said the participation of tertiary and vocational institutions was aimed at demonstrating how communities could pursue economic opportunities while protecting the environment.
“In 2026, tertiary and vocational institutions are participating by showcasing how businesses can grow sustainably without harming the environment,” she said.
The participating institutions are presenting programmes implemented alongside communities, women and members of the public, with a focus on teaching environmental conservation through practical recycling and the reuse of discarded materials.
The initiative is also supported through collaboration with key conservation bodies, including the Eswatini Environmental Authority and the Eswatini National Trust Commission (ENTC).
These partnerships are helping guide young innovators as they explore opportunities within the green economy across different sectors.
The showcased work extends beyond construction and furniture, with sustainable cooking also among the areas being explored.
For the Ministry, the initiative represents grassroots development in action — creating skills, encouraging entrepreneurship and promoting responsible use of the environment.
It also complements this year’s EITF theme, “Unlocking Green Economy Opportunities,” by giving visitors a practical look at how sustainable ideas can be transformed into tangible products and potential businesses.
Dlamini encouraged members of the public to visit the exhibition and learn more about the innovations.
“Visitors are invited to learn more at Hall 2, where the institutions are based each year,” she said.
As EITF 2026 continues until September 6, the Ministry’s exhibition is sending a powerful message: what is discarded today can become the foundation for a greener economy tomorrow.
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