Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs has sent two female refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) technicians from Eswatini to Germany for a training workshop from 15 to 27 September 2025. The training is part of the Southern African Cooling Programme (CooPSA), a regional initiative led by the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) that promotes environmentally friendly cooling technologies.
Honourable Minister for Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Jane Mkhonta-Simelane, said the training will equip technicians, trainers, and policymakers from developing countries with knowledge and practical skills to install and service air conditioners using natural refrigerants such as R290. She added that these technologies are climate-friendly, ozone-safe, and energy efficient.
“This training will reduce emissions, promote climate protection, and help meet international environmental goals under the Montreal Protocol and its Kigali Amendment,” the Minister said. She also highlighted that the training supports gender equality, as the refrigeration industry is traditionally male-dominated. The initiative aligns with the country’s Gender Policy (2023) and the Multilateral Fund’s operational policy on gender mainstreaming (2019), which seek to empower women, address systemic inequalities, and integrate gender considerations in environmentally focused projects.
EEA Board Chairperson Mlungisi Simalene said the training is part of regional and international partnerships that support the introduction of green air-conditioning equipment in the SADC region. He added that well-trained AC technicians will help increase the use of these technologies while contributing to the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons. “We are grateful to the German Government for providing this opportunity and for supporting the participation of females in the cooling sector,” he said.
Sindiswa Zwane from the Ministry of Health, one of the selected technicians, said, “On behalf of myself and my colleagues, we are deeply honoured to be selected to attend a cooling training in Germany. We would like to extend our gratitude to the government of Eswatini through the Ministry of Tourism, as well as EEA, for giving us such a great opportunity. We are confident this training will strengthen our capacity to handle natural refrigeration, such as hydrocarbons.”
The second beneficiary, Xolile Magagula, will also attend the training and represent Eswatini. The workshop will provide hands-on instruction and foster local expertise, preparing both technicians to act as multipliers and promote sustainable cooling practices in the country.
The government and partners are optimistic that this training will not only benefit the two women personally but also strengthen the entire refrigeration and air-conditioning industry in Eswatini.
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