“Land is life,” says Prime Minister as he rallies the nation to restore 500 000 hectares
By Mbongeni Ndlela
MBABANE – Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini has called on all emaSwati to unite in safeguarding the country’s most precious natural asset: its land.
Speaking under this year’s global theme “Restore Land, Unlock Opportunities,” the PM painted a vision of hope and prosperity rooted in environmental stewardship.
He emphasized that Eswatini’s future depends on reversing land degradation and unlocking the full potential of its soil to drive food security, biodiversity, and economic growth.
“Land is life. It feeds our people, sustains our biodiversity, and underpins our economy,” said Dlamini. “Yet, we are witnessing increasing signs of land degradation driven by unsustainable farming, climate change, and deforestation. This threatens not only our agricultural productivity but also the livelihoods of thousands of rural families.”
To address this, the Premier reaffirmed Eswatini’s bold commitment to achieve land degradation neutrality by 2030, an ambitious national goal to rehabilitate and restore 500 000 hectares of degraded land while also preventing further environmental harm.
He stressed that this target is attainable with the collective effort of communities, the private sector, civil society, and international partners.
“A healthy ecosystem and environment will bring prosperity to our people,” he said. “We must preserve our forests, safeguard communal grazing land, and promote sustainable farming practices.”
Investing in the Youth and Innovation
The PM made a special call to the nation’s youth, urging them to take up the mantle of environmental leadership.
“Our youth, as torchbearers of innovation, must play a significant role in building a resilient, green, inclusive, and sustainable future,” he noted.
To support this, His Majesty’s Government will continue investing in sustainable land management, agroforestry, and community-led restoration programmes. These efforts are aligned with Eswatini’s broader development goals and its commitment to international sustainability agreements.
United for the Land, United for the Future
Dlamini’s message resonated as a national call-to-action — a reminder that the path to long-term prosperity lies in caring for the land that nourishes the nation.
“Let us act now to keep our environment healthy and productive for the benefit of all Eswatini, today and for thousands of years to come.”
As the Kingdom of Eswatini joins the world in commemorating the global desertification agenda, the Prime Minister’s vision stands as a beacon of hope, a testament to the power of unity, resilience, and forward-thinking leadership.
(Courtesy Pic)
