By Tlalane Dlamini
Malandela’s House on Fire has strengthened its status as a national leader in sustainable tourism after clinching two prestigious awards at the 2025 Temvelo Awards.
The globally renowned cultural and events centre, home of the MTN Bushfire Festival, won both the Green Business Award (Large Category) and the Innovative Waste Management Award, marking a major milestone in environmental excellence in Eswatini.
The double victory recognizes Malandela’s long-standing dedication to environmental stewardship, operational innovation, and community-focused sustainability. It affirms the center’s ability to successfully combine culture, commerce, and conservation into a thriving ecosystem.
Reacting to the achievement, Zwelakhe Dlamini, SHERQ Officer, called the recognition a strong validation of years of dedicated work. “This double win is not just about awards, it is about accountability to the land, the people, and future generations. It reflects a culture of safety, environmental responsibility, and continuous improvement that is embedded in Malandela’s daily operations,” he said.
At the core of this achievement is the #GreenYourFire sustainability initiative, which turns every major event into a live showcase of responsible environmental practices. The program is guided by strong Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and organized around five key pillars: Biodiversity, Waste, Water, Clean Energy & Transport, and Culture.
Green Team Head Khetsiwe Dlamini emphasised that sustainability at Malandela’s is intentionally designed to be visible and participatory.
“At our centre, conservation and visitor experience are deeply intertwined. We believe environmental protection must be interactive and inspiring. People protect what they understand and value,” she said.
A major highlight of the awards was the centre’s innovative waste management system. The award-winning three-bin separation system—Landfill, Recyclable and Compostable—supported by clear signage and hands-on guidance from the Green Team, ensures that visitors actively participate in responsible waste disposal.
Used cooking oil is converted into biofuel, while compostable waste is processed on-site into nutrient-rich compost for the gardens. Low-impact event design further reduces waste through reusable signage and repurposed PVC banners turned into roofing and modular stall infrastructure.
Beyond waste reduction, Malandela’s has shown strong leadership in land and water conservation. Composting toilets greatly cut water use and serve as educational tools for visitors. Through its native plant nursery and rewilding program, over 1,000 native plants have been cultivated to restore habitats and boost biodiversity. Walkways and event spaces are thoughtfully located to prevent soil compaction and protect natural plant life.
Environmental education is also central to Malandela’s mission. The popular “Green Superheroes” activation uses creative play to teach recycling and environmental care during major festivals, while empowering surrounding communities and schools with practical waste-management skills.
Looking ahead, Malandela’s is preparing to launch an ambitious zero-waste and upcycling program under the slogan “Change Trash to Cash.” The initiative will include AI-assisted waste sorting, waste-to-value products such as eco-bricks, and hands-on sustainability workshops.