MBABANE: OUR CITY’S WASTED POTENTIAL

Sir,
I am writing to express my concern about the increasing prevalence of litter and illegal dumping in our beautiful city. Do people still get fined that E50 that was put up on billboards, because I see people littering all the time. People will eat their chips and ummbhila on the bus and when finished, will discard the garbage right next to  the bus rank. I have never seen anyone fined for this. What is just a ploy to scare people into submission or was the city of Mbabane serious about beautifying the city? What was once a source of pride for our community is now being marred by piles of trash, discarded plastic bottles and carelessly dumped refuse.

Threat

This not only detracts from the appeal of our city, but also poses a serious threat to our environment and public health. I’ve noticed that certain areas are particularly affected, such as parks, riverbanks, the bus rank and vacant parking lots. These spaces, which should be enjoyed by all, are becoming dumping sites for household waste, construction debris and even hazardous materials. The stench of rotting garbage is becoming the norm for us who spend our morning and evenings in the CDB, and the sight of overflowing bins and scattered litter is disheartening.

Diseases

This issue is not just about what it looks like; it has real consequences. Litter attracts pests and rodents, which can spread diseases. Illegal dumping contaminates our soil and water sources, posing a risk to human health and harming wildlife. While I believe that individual responsibility plays a crucial role in addressing this problem, we also need stronger action from our local authorities.

Increased enforcement of anti-littering laws that are strictly enforced, more frequent garbage collection and the provision of adequate waste disposal facilities are essential steps. We also need to invest in public education campaigns to raise awareness about the harmful effects of littering and illegal dumping and to encourage responsible waste disposal practices, if people think that it does not affect them then they won’t care. You can see it by how casually they littler. People do not care property if is not theirs.

Community

I believe that community involvement is key to tackling this issue effectively. Organising regular clean-up drives, encouraging local businesses to adopt responsible waste management practices and promoting community initiatives to beautify our public spaces can make a significant difference. Our city deserves better. We should all take pride in our environment and work together to keep it clean and healthy. Surely this dirty capital city is not the makings of a First World country. I urge our local authorities and our community to take this issue seriously and to implement effective measures to combat littering and illegal dumping. Let us reclaim our city and restore its beauty for generations to come.

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