Eswatini International Trade Fair
Salesians planning and development office at the Eswatini International Trade Fair 2026 (28 August – 6 September).
Honoured by National and Church Leadership the stand received distinguished visitors, including His Majesty King Mswati III, and His Lordship Bishop José Luis Ponce de León, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Manzini, together with several national dignitaries. Their gracious presence and words of encouragement affirmed the value of the Salesian ecological initiatives and strengthened the commitment to expanding sustainable agriculture and Youth education across Eswatini.
The Salesians of Don Bosco – AFM Province, through the Salesian Planning and Development Office (SPDO), participated in the Eswatini International Trade Fair with a collaborative ecological exhibition led by the Salesians of Don Bosco, Urban Organics, and the University of Eswatini (UNESWA). Together, they showcased a shared commitment to climate‑smart agriculture and sustainable development.
SPDO has installed hydroponic vegetable production systems in eight schools under the Eco‑Ubuntu Project, demonstrating practical and scalable models of innovative food production. The exhibition attracted strong interest from government ministries, private‑sector actors, NGOs, and educational institutions, many of whom expressed a desire to replicate hydroponics in their own contexts.
A Holistic Vision for Ecology
SPDO’s Integral Ecology Initiative brings together environmental education, sustainable agriculture, community transformation, youth empowerment, and faith‑based ecological values. This integrated approach reflects the Salesian mission and the call of Laudato Si’ to care for both people and the planet.
Salesian Footprint in Eswatini
For more than 75 years, the Salesians of Don Bosco have served communities across Eswatini through a broad network of Catholic institutions dedicated to youth evangelization and transformation in the spirit of Don Bosco. These include:
– St John Bosco Malkerns Catholic Parish
– Three Catholic high schools
– Six primary schools, including the eight schools now equipped with hydroponics
– Manzini Youth Centre — offering youth formation, skills development, an orphanage home, study centre, Skills Centre, and Agriculture Centre.
