Eswatini launches social and behavioral campaign to usher in the new normal
The name of the campaign is Umgcini literally translated to mean "keeper".
The Government of Eswatini has launched a social and behavioural change campaign to usher in the new normal as part of COVID-19 prevention. The campaign developed by the Risk Communication and Community Engagement technical working group under the leadership of the Ministry of Health with technical and financial support from UNICEF and the National Disaster Management Agency. The campaign aims at rallying the nation to be more vigilant as the partial lockdown regulations are now relaxed and the number of Covid-19 cases declining.
The name of the campaign is Umgcini literally translated to mean "keeper". The campaign emphasis that each individual has a responsibility to protect the next person by adopting the three key behaviours tagged in the campaign as 3Ws - Wash your hands with soap and clean running water, Wear your mask and Watch your distance #Doitall!
"This is a plea to all emaSwati to keep themselves and the next person safe."
To ensure that children are not left behind as information on COVID is disseminated, the campaign has a super hero called Captain Keeper who will be visiting schools and communities to educate children on COVID. Captain Keeper will also be sending the key messages on television and radio.
His Excellency, the Prime Minister speaking at the launch emphasized that by being a "people's keeper" one becomes exemplary and this characteristic will permeate the fabric of Eswatini. The Prime minister implored the nation to work collectively towards being "our people's keeper" and this will ensure a smooth passage into this new normal which requires each person to be extremely conscious of their habits and how they can affect the next person. "This is a plea to all emaSwati to keep themselves and the next person safe", pleaded the Minister of Health, Senator Lizzie Nkosi at the event. Addressing the guests at the launch, the deputy Prime Minister appreciated the technical and financial support provided by UNICEF and other partners to make this much needed communication campaign a reality.
A young person representing children and young people at the event, Ms Siphesihle Langwenya (19 years) appreciated UNICEF for ensuring that children and young people are not left behind. She warned her peers to ensure that they protect their parents, teachers and community at large by adopting all the key behaviours necessary to prevent COVID especially the 3Ws.
The Risk Communication and Community engagement committee will facilitate various activities as part of the launch including the ongoing door to door campaign which will assist inform the campaign of bottlenecks that individuals face in adopting the key behaviours necessary to prevent COVID-19. #Doitall
