The Municipal Council of Mbabane is actively working to transform the capital into a smarter, cleaner, and more economically vibrant city. According to CEO Gciniwe Fakudze, the council's current priorities include infrastructure and maintenance, culture and sport, green economy and waste, youth and local enterprise, planning and investment. The council is clearing and improving drainage, rehabilitating local roads, expanding pedestrian walkways, and servicing streetlights to provide a practical foundation for municipal life.
The council is also focusing on culture and sport, with events such as the +268 Bikers Club Rally, the annual Mbabane Marathon, Mbabane Day, and the October Theatre Festival. These events aim to reinforce the city's place as Eswatini's cultural and entertainment heartbeat. Additionally, the council has been recognized for its efforts in sustainable waste management, including the use of solar-powered collection tricycles, after winning the Best Stand Overall award at the Eswatini International Trade Fair under the green economy theme.
The council is advancing its green economy and waste management initiatives, with a focus on sustainable solutions that support a cleaner city while responding to the realities of collection and disposal. The Youth Enterprise Revolving Fund has been established to provide micro-grant funding and business support for young entrepreneurs, cultivating local economic development and giving young people a stake in the city's business ecosystem.
The council is preparing a comprehensive review of the Mbabane Town Planning Scheme to balance neighborhood character, reduce red tape, and unlock sustainable investment. The Town Planning Scheme is a blueprint that shapes daily life, property rights, and Mbabane's physical future, setting zoning, land-use rights, and development standards. The review aims to create an environment that supports economic development, local enterprise, and community growth.
According to CEO Gciniwe Fakudze, the role of a modern city council has changed significantly, extending beyond traditional services such as roads, waste, and basic services. Modern councils are now socio-economic enablers, resilience builders, and architects of the future, with a focus on economic development, digital transformation, climate resilience, housing, and inclusion.
The council is also preparing for the Eswatini Urban Forum, which will bring leaders, innovators, and residents together to discuss financing, smart solutions, resilient infrastructure, and housing for all. The forum aims to provide a platform for stakeholders to share ideas and expertise, and to explore solutions to the challenges facing urban areas in Eswatini.
CEO Gciniwe Fakudze hopes that a year from now, Mbabane will be a cleaner, smarter, and more inclusive city, with a strong focus on economic development, sustainability, and community growth. The council's efforts to engage with residents and stakeholders, through public participation and events, aim to ensure that the city's growth and development are aligned with the needs and aspirations of its people.
Key points
- The Municipal Council of Mbabane is working to transform the city into a smarter, cleaner, and more economically vibrant city, with a focus on infrastructure, culture, sustainability, and economic development.
