BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE – The Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Moses Vilakati has appointed new board members and a new National Biosafety Advisory Committee.
Vilakati said they are to facilitate a smooth transition of the new members into office; the Eswatini Environment Authority identified the need for their orientation on biotechnology and biosafety.
Vilakati also announced new and retained Board members of the Eswatini Environment Authority. The Minister has also appointed a National Biosafety Advisory Committee (NBAC).
The NBAC is an independent body established to advise the EEA Board on biosafety regarding activities involving genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
EEA Board Members: Mlungisi Simelane (retained as chairperson), PS Khangeziwe Mabuza, Nompumelelo Msibi, Sipho Shiba, Thembinkosi Ndzimandze-Member, Dr. Sizwe Mabaso. Dr. Gcebekile Dlamini Nhlabatsi and Gcina Dladla (Secretary).
Meanwhile the biosafety members are Madoda Mdziniso, Arletta Ndlela, Sipho Shongwe, Prof. Cebsile Magagula, Dr. Patricia Carmichael, Luyanda Khumalo, Gideon Shongwe, Ayanda Ziyane and Boy Matse.
“The objectives of the appointment were to strengthen the capacity of the appointed board which is and the advisory committee, the technical group that advises the board on modern biotechnology in order to create an enabling environment for regulation which is science-based.
This board is aimed at sharing best practices on the regulation of biotechnology across the continent and the critical role that the members of the board and National Biosafety Advisory Committee will play,” said Vilakati.
