The Kingdom of Eswatini had its commemoration of World Environment Day under the theme, “Beat Plastic Pollution” held in Sibane hotel in form a Symposium. Plastic pollution is a problem in the country and numerous education and campaigns and policies has been put to place trying to address the problem but it still persist.
The topic of the Day was to find the open tap that is flooding the whole room and get it closed before mopping or whipping the room. The above stated examples of clean-up campaigns has been seen to be nothing more than a mop trying to wipe the floor while the tap is still open. Different speakers made submissions on the topic of plastic and it has been discovered to be a big industry that has employed people and is paying taxes in the country which gives classical conflict of interest in identifying the tap.
The question that was not answered was if Banning Plastic Bags is the tap, or introducing Plastic levy/taxes, or continue with advocacy (appeal to conscience with the hope people will refuse to use plastic even if provided) and/or recycling. The country has a long journey to go in identifying the tap to get it shut than continuing with mopping a flooded room while the tap is still running water to the floor.
One member of Parliament (Hon. Salodin Magagula) in the event submitted that, “The Constitution of the Kingdom of eSwatini Act No. 1 of 2005, s.64 states that it is the duty of every citizen to protect and safeguard the environment. The Constitution further demands of every ministry environmental management strategy. As Parliament, we will have to ensure that those ministries that fail to comply to this legal obligation are not allowed to sit in parliament nor to get a budget before complying”. But still the question remains, “where is the Tap?”
The Green Anglicans in the Diocese of Swaziland continues to partner with other organisation on environment issues as it has participated in this year’s World Environment Day Commemoration as organised by Swaziland Environment Authority (SEA).
Mncedisi Masuku – Diocese of Swaziland