Africa-Press – Eswatini. Deputy Ambassador of the European Union Delegation (EUD) in Eswatini Robert Adam has praised the Guba Permaculture Education Centre in Malkerns for stepping up to the challenges of the worsening effects of climate change, by completely being self-sustainable and teaching others how to live off-the-grid.
Off-the-grid entails not using or depending on public utilities, especially the supply of electricity.
He noted that Guba harnesses the planet’s natural resources, including sunlight, which is in abundance in Eswatini to produce clean energy that keeps the place running and sustains the community. Guba also practises rainwater harvesting which provides clean water for drinking and cooking as well as watering the gardens.
“Guba fully embraces the culture of recycling and balancing nature with human living to create resilient communities.
“The houses, structures and grounds are built in a sustainable manner, using natural and recycled materials that are environmentally friendly,” said Adam.
“They harvest energy from the sun through solar panels to generate their own electricity power, they do water harvesting, particularly from the rain for their use all year round, and they have effective, natural, water purification systems.
They are a pioneer in Eswatini for sustainable and efficient ways to live, learn, work and can be an excellent model to replicate across the country.”
Adam said communities, particularly young people, women and people living with disabilities, have a trusted friend in Guba to empower them to make a difference and to build a future where people can live in harmony with nature.
“The EU is a huge supporter of the global efforts to protect and restore the planet to its natural condition. The EU is also a strong supporter of green energy, and we were delighted to be part of the educational tour of Guba,” he said.
Guba was established in 2009 by Sam Hodgson and Emma Granville as a space for people to explore solutions for a more equitable society. At the heart of the institution’s work is permaculture, which Guba describes as a thinking tool for designing low carbon, highly productive human and environmental systems. Guba strives to grow resilient systems intentionally created for all life to thrive in.
The EUD, in collaboration with Yibutse Green Action, on Tuesday, conducted an educational tour of Guba. The tour was part of the EU Climate Diplomacy Weeks, an annual global campaign launched by the European Union and its 27 Member States to foster cooperation on climate change and inspire real action.
Renewables
The central theme for Climate Diplomacy Weeks 2022 puts emphasis on energy savings, energy efficiency and acceleration of renewables. Saving energy is the quickest and cheapest way to address the current energy crisis, while scaling-up renewable energy and energy efficiency will give a boost to the green transition and reduce greenhouse gases while improving energy security.
The EUD team that formed part of the educational tour comprised Adam, Jenny Brown, Programme Manager and Luisa Hansi. Yibutse Green Action was led by Executive Director Musa Ndlangamandla and Projects Coordinator Thembeka Dlamini.
The tour also included journalists, university students and environmental activists. The team later toured the E1.2 bn electricity production plant at Ubombo Sugar Limited, in Big Bend.
Brown said the tour of Guba was extremely inspirational.
“If a small community can be self-sustaining living off- the-grid, imagine all the possibilities that exist for emaswati regarding sustainable living.”
Guiding the tour was Bonginkosi Mndzebele, the permaculture facilitator and community liaison officer at Guba. He took the team through the processes of permaculture and the operations of the place.
“We offer education programmes for children, youth and adults and our focus is on abundant food systems, appropriate technologies, social innovation, supporting local entrepreneurship and transformative learning from birth which will continue through ever evolving teaching and practice,” said Mndzebele, who was the tour guide.
“We connect communities through food, art, culture and nature, offering a connectedness that is both clear and enriching.”
Meanwhile, the students and green activists said the educational tour was essential for their studies and personal lives.
“I appreciate the opportunity provided by the EUD for my colleagues and I to take a tour of Guba. I gained a lot of knowledge and an understanding that it is possible to have self-sufficient and environmentally friendly places here in Eswatini,” said Valencia Fakudze, a green champion and member of Hlumisa Eswatini, an environmental movement.
Hlengiwe Pateguana, a student at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology said: “Today’s educational tour has helped us as students to develop our academic, careers and at a personal level.”
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