Multi-cultural Cemetery on the cards for Manzini
The Municipal Council of Manzini has plans to establish a multi-cultural cemetery in the City of Manzini. This follows requests from members of other religions who feel that the present method of burial that is practiced in the city, which is predominantly Christianity based, does not suit their religious requirements. Their requirements differ in terms of size and type of the tomb, time allocated to burials as well as religious rituals to be practiced during burials, amongst other requirements.
In view of the fact that the Constitution of the Kingdom of Eswatini (Section 23) prohibits religious discrimination and instead provides for freedom of thought, conscience and religion, Council has embarked on a process to investigate the possibility of establishing the multi-cultural burial site in an effort to meet this service requirement. This move is also supported by Council’s Integrated Development Plan and organizational strategy. It also resonates with Council’s strategic value of inclusion.
Research shows that religions presently available in the Kingdom of Eswatini include Christianity (90%), Roman Catholics (20%), Anglican, Methodist, Mormon, Jehovah’s Witnesses (30%), Muslim (2%) and Bahai, Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, indigenous ancestral worship (8%).
Council has identified a possible site for the cemetery and a professional consultant has been engaged to undertake a study on the feasibility of establishing such a facility. The consultant will also prepare preliminary layout designs for the cemetery as well as determine the associated services to be rendered. An Environmental Impact Assessment will be conducted to determine environmental, social and other factors that may arise as a result of establishment of such a facility. As part of the process, citizens of Manzini and all other relevant stakeholders will also be given an opportunity contribute their input regarding the project.
…NEW INCINERATOR, IMPROVED HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL
Citizens of Manzini, the health sector and other relevant stakeholders can expect improved efficiency in the treatment and disposal of hazardous waste; in particular health care risk waste.
Healthcare risk waste refers to medical waste such as needles, bandages, used razors, syringes and any other object that has been exposed to human body fluids.
Council has invested in a new incinerator and it has already been installed and commissioned. Availability of a properly functioning incinerator will not only help ensure proper disposal of this kind of waste but will also help prevent environmental pollution that may result from indiscriminate disposal thereof. One of the key pillars of the Municipality’s Integrated Development Plan is Sustainable Environmental Management and investment in this facility contributes to achievement of that end goal. According to environmental laws, health care risk waste is not supposed to be disposed at the controlled dumpsite. This is meant to protect human beings (for example, waste recyclers who earn a living by scavenging recyclable waste at the controlled dumpsite; or even the Council employees who are tasked with waste collection) and animals from contracting communicable diseases as a result of coming into contact with such waste material. It is also meant to prevent soil and water pollution as such harmful waste can possibly be transported by rain to the nearest river. Due to its high temperature, the incinerator is able to destroy all the pathogens (germs) available in the health care risk waste and the ash gets disposed in ash pits. The Municipal Council of Manzini pleads with chronically ill citizens in the city not to dispose health care risk waste together with general waste in order to prevent the spread of disease. Instead, they are urged to store such waste in separate containers and contact Council for collection thereof. Council will make arrangements to collect the hazardous waste for incineration and disposal free of charge. Clinics and other health facilities available in the city are also urged to make use of this service and refrain from haphazard disposal of same as such behavior can spell disaster to human and animal life. Please contact Council’s waste management section and you will be assisted on how to access the service. Accommodation facilities such as guest houses, lodges and hotels are also urged to provide separate receptacles for health care risk waste.
…SERVICE DELIVERY IN PROGRESS IN MANZINI CITY
In line with its mandate, the Municipal Council of Manzini continues to provide services to the vibrant hub of Eswatini. The desire is to ensure that citizens, including the business sector and other stakeholders, enjoy quality service at all times. It is also in line with the Municipality’s Mission which is “To provide quality municipal services that add value to all our customers through good governance and partnering with relevant stakeholders”. Those who own property in the City of Manzini are urged to always make it a point that they pay their rates in full so that there can be improvement in the quality of service rendered by the Municipality. The following service delivery photos were taken early this week in the city of Manzini…
