Journalists and environmental experts will work together to imagine how things in Swaziland and around the world have changed as result of global warming, shifting weather patterns and rising sea levels.
The aim of the supplement, which will form part of the Burning Question art exhibition curated by Yebo! at the annual MTN Bushfire Festival in May, is to educate and inspire debate about the many ways climate change is likely to affect the lives of ordinary citizens in the future.
“We are extremely excited to work on such a unique project,” says Londza Designs director Mbongeni Dlamini. “It offers a great opportunity for people to understand the potential effect that the decisions we make now will have on our collective future,” he adds.
The supplement will be published inside the Swazi Observer in the run-up to the festival, with further copies available to view and purchase at the Yebo! exhibition and online, giving people across the country the opportunity to read and discuss the critical issues raised.
It will be structured to follow the design, style and layout of a regular Observer newspaper, featuring local and international news, business, sport and entertainment pages, with articles addressing a range of concerns ranging from food and water security to energy supply.
Yebo! Art and Design Director Aleta Armstrong praised the Swazi Observer for its commitment to addressing environmental issues in Swaziland. “The media plays a vital role in informing the public and it’s great to see local news outlets taking the lead in tackling this important issue,” she said.
Mbongeni Mbingo, the Observer’s Managing Editor, will pen an editorial in the supplement, reflecting on the challenges facing Swaziland, as well as some of the successes that are likely to have been made in fight against climate change by the year 2050.
“The burning question, that we as a society have to confront, is what kind of country will Swaziland be in 2050?” says Mbingo. “How beautiful will our scenery still be? How much will climate change have affected—read ravaged—this beautiful little country of ours?”
He notes that Swaziland has already experienced the devastating effect of El Nino, as well as the recent Cyclone Dineo, although our landlocked nation was spared the worst of that weather system.
“But, it was the two extremes of these weather patterns that demonstrate the full effects of climate change—a devastating drought and then a tropical storm. This is also what informs us that thing are only likely to get worse, which then leads us to imagine what our future holds.”
Mbingo urges individuals to reflect carefully on their actions. “What we do now, and what we have done that impacts on the future; it is the policies, the behaviour and our will to preserve our climate that will impact on the future of Swaziland,” he says.
“This supplement therefore is an effort to raise these uncomfortable truths.
Click HERE to view the 2050 Observer newspaper
