On 26th March 2011 between the hours 8:30pm and 9:30pm, Swaziland fell into darkness and candles lit across the nation, a demonstration of the country´s support for climate change awareness. Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate change.

In 2010, a record 128 countries and territories joined the global display of climate action. Iconic buildings and landmarks from Asia Pacific to Europe and Africa to the Americas ´switched off´. People across the world and from all walks of life turned off their lights and came together in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common, our planet. In 2011, Swaziland joined the ranks of this great initiative.

Earth Hour is organized by World Wildlife Foundation, one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations. Their mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and build a future where people live in harmony with nature. On the 1st of February, 2011, the governing international organizing body for the ´Earth Hour´ received an impassioned e-mail from a 15 year old boy in Swaziland named Nathi Mzileni, who, after being astonished by the country´s non-participation in 2010, established an environmental organization determined to get his home nation on the Earth Hour map in 2011.

The Earth Hour Global team was so moved by Nathi´s passion and commitment to conservation that they recognized him for his initiative. "While young Nathi is not an official Earth Hour co-ordinator, the Earth Hour Global Team was so moved by his passion and commitment to conservation that we are making him an honorary member of the Global Earth Hour Network, and will support his efforts to make Earth Hour happen for the first time in Swaziland," stated the Global Team.

Swaziland Electricity Company did not hesitate to spearhead this worthwhile campaign, inspired by one of their own citizens, and proceeded to throw all their weight behind making it a great success. SEC´s Managing Director, Pius Gumbi gave an interview on this subject, sensitising the public to the plight of climate change before Earth Hour took place. Mr Gumbi implored the public to use electricity responsibly and sparingly even after the commemoration of the Earth Hour.

Gumbi said SEC does not focus on generating profits at the expense of the lives of its customers and, in particular, the planet that humankind has a responsibility to preserve and protect. SEC has about 97 000 customers, and the number is growing daily with the roll-out of the rural electrification project. The Managing Director said his prayer is for electricity consumers to look beyond 8.30pm to 9.30pm during which every citizen of the world is expected to switch off lights in unoccupied rooms and non-essential appliances. "The Earth Hour concept is not about switching off for only the stipulated period, but it´s just a reminder that it should become a culture for every person who cares about the environment to use electricity conservatively. Can you imagine how much contribution we can make as a nation if we were to use electricity sparingly daily?" he remarked.

Mr Gumbi added; "Let it be understood that we´re not saying people should put their lives on hold and be deprived of the use of electrical gadgets and tools. This should come voluntarily from all concerned, particularly SEC customers." The Managing Director stated that of major concern was the depletion of natural resources such as coal and oil in the production of energy. He recalled that the Earth Hour concept was as a result of a number of initiatives such as the Kyoto Protocol signed by nation states in which they committed to making significant input in the avoidance of carbon emissions, which impact negatively on climate change.

Asked if he was worried about whether SEC would lose considerable revenue by encouraging its customers to use less power, Gumbi said; "Our Company wants to rise above short-term issues and concentrate on long-term gains, which are in the interest of our customers. The benefits of using less electricity far outweigh any financial gains." He said SEC encourages its customers to use alternative sources of energy such as solar panels, adding that those who can afford to should acquire solar-heated geysers.

On what SEC is doing to conserve the environment, Gumbi said they were complying with the country´s environmental legislation as stipulated by the Swaziland Environment Authority (SEA).

Members of the public on Saturday 26th March 2011, joined the rest of the world in commemorating the Earth Hour global initiative. The Swaziland Electricity Company (SEC), together with its partners and 200 members of the public, assembled at the Public Service Pensions Fund (PSPF) building in Mbabane to commemorate the Earth Hour between 8.30pm and 9.30pm. The country's major electricity supplier was joined by the Swaziland Environment Authority (SEA), Renewable Energy Association of Swaziland, Nedbank as well as the Ministries of Natural Resources, Energy and Housing. One of the highlights of the commemoration was the showing of a documentary on the Earth Hour. The programme required that all households and businesses turned off their non-essential lights and electronic appliances for an hour in an effort to raise awareness about the need to take drastic action on climate change.

All SEC customers and the nation at large were requested to participate in this event to minimize the impacts of climate change. Electricity consumers were requested to switch off non-essential electronic gadgets such as radios, TVs, ovens, computers, geysers, heaters, chargers and stoves. The event was a great success! During the Earth Hour Swaziland citizens saved 13.04 megawatts hours of electricity, a 9.6% reduction from the average daily usage of our tiny kingdom with a population of slightly above 1 million.

As part of its support to the Earth Hour campaign, SEC measured the reduction in electricity used from its national control centre in Mbabane. Swaziland Electricity Company is proud of its major role in this great endeavour and will continue to support the Earth Hour into the future.