Dulux Eswatini has reinforced its commitment to road safety by donating road safety equipment valued at E15,000 to the Road Accident Action Group (RAAG) in support of the Back-to-School Road Safety Programme, which aims to protect learners commuting to and from school.
The donation was officially handed over at Dulux Eswatini’s Matsapha offices and is part of a collaborative road safety initiative implemented by RAAG in partnership with the Manzini Municipal Council, Matsapha Town Council, and the Royal Eswatini Police Service’s Traffic Department. The program aims to reduce road crashes involving schoolchildren, particularly during peak morning and afternoon traffic hours.
The donated items include a gazebo, reflective vests, and other materials for school-zone awareness campaigns, community engagement, and on-the-ground road safety interventions. These tools are expected to enhance visibility, promote orderly traffic behavior, and improve learner safety, especially in high-risk, busy school zones.
Programme aligns with Dulux Eswatini’s CSR Agenda
Speaking during the handover, Nomsa Maziya of Dulux Eswatini said the company views road safety as a shared responsibility that requires active participation by the private sector.
“At Dulux Eswatini, we believe that keeping children safe on our roads is not the responsibility of authorities alone but a collective duty for all of us,” Maziya said. “Learners are among the most vulnerable road users, and this donation supports practical solutions that make a real difference in their daily lives.”
Maziya added that the Back-to-School Road Safety Programme aligns with Dulux Eswatini’s broader corporate social responsibility agenda, which prioritizes community well-being and sustainable development.
“We are proud to partner with RAAG and local authorities on initiatives that go beyond awareness and deliver tangible safety interventions on the ground. Through these partnerships, we can help create safer school environments and foster a culture of responsible road use,” she said.
The E15,000 donation builds on Dulux Eswatini’s prior support for RAAG’s road safety efforts. In an earlier contribution, the company donated road-marking paint valued at E10,000, including yellow and white paint used to mark pedestrian crossings, speed-calming zones, and other critical road markings in high-risk areas near schools and along busy pedestrian routes.
RAAG Communications Officer Sindiswa Masuku welcomed the donation, calling it a timely and impactful contribution to ongoing road safety interventions during the school term.
“This support from Dulux Eswatini comes at a critical time, as traffic volumes rise with the reopening of schools,” Masuku said. “The equipment will significantly enhance our visibility during road safety campaigns and enable us to engage more effectively with motorists, learners, and communities.”
Masuku highlighted that the Back-to-School Road Safety Programme combines education, enforcement support, and practical safety measures to address risky road behaviour around schools.
“Our approach is not only about raising awareness but also about creating safer road environments. By partnering with municipalities, traffic police, and responsible corporate partners such as Dulux Eswatini, we can implement interventions that directly reduce risks for children,” she said.
She further emphasized the importance of sustained, multi-stakeholder collaboration to address road safety challenges in urban centers, including Manzini and Matsapha, where pedestrian traffic is high.
“Protecting vulnerable road users, especially children, requires sustained investment, cooperation, and commitment across all sectors. Donations like this help us move closer to our goal of safer roads for everyone,” Masuku added.
Masuku used the occasion to urge more companies to join and support RAAG’s road safety initiatives, noting that partnerships with the private sector are critical to expanding the programme’s reach.
“While we have made meaningful progress in Manzini and Matsapha, our vision is much broader,” Masuku said. “Our aim is not for this programme to end here, but to be rolled out to other regions of the country where learners face similar road safety risks.”
She explained that increased corporate support would enable RAAG to scale up interventions, procure additional safety equipment, and intensify awareness campaigns across both urban and peri-urban areas.
“With more partners, we can extend these life-saving initiatives beyond Manzini to other regions, ensuring that learners across Eswatini benefit from safer roads and more responsible driving behaviour,” Masuku added.
The Back-to-School Road Safety Programme focuses on learners, motorists, cyclists, and surrounding communities, with special attention to pedestrian safety, traffic calming, and driver awareness in school zones. Activities include road safety education sessions, temporary traffic management, and advocacy for improved road infrastructure.
RAAG, an Eswatini-based non-governmental organisation, continues to champion road safety education, infrastructure improvements, and policy advocacy aligned with national priorities and global road safety targets.