SALESIANS in swaziland

Upon the Salesians arrival into Swaziland back in the 1950’s the first major initiative undertaken was the establishment and ongoing management of Salesian Primary and High School on what was then the outskirts of Manzini. This school was considered one of the best educational facilities in the country, with many of the countries leaders of today having undertaken their education at these schools.

Salesian Primary and High School was run and managed by the Salesians until the early 1990’s when a board of local community leaders took over management of the school. The Salesian involvement has continued though with several Salesians on staff and a Salesian always in the role of school manager. The Salesian ethos and presence continues to play a major role in the educational programme.

From their initial management of the Salesian schools, the Salesians involvement in the community has expanded over the years. The major Salesian project has been that of Manzini Youth Care, but there are other important activities such as their pastoral and chaplaincy work. The Salesians are chaplains at the University of Swaziland and Waterford School, as well as for the Portuguese Catholic community. Salesians travel around the country providing mass for the catholic communities in more remote locations without permanent parish priests as well as sharing in the provision of services at the country’s cathedral.

Salesians also manage six other catholic primary and secondary schools in Swaziland. They offer diocesan catechetical supervision, develop evangelical youth leaderships programmes, assist in development of school religious education curriculum and assist in the running of catholic teacher training programmes.

The Salesians have also developed a youth behaviour change programme called Love Matters. Delivered to school groups in a weekend retreat setting, this course challenges the young people to question their views on love, relationships and self-respect. The course attempts to deal with the issue of increasing HIV/Aids contraction amongst the youth through stressing the importance of respecting one’s own body and choosing to wait when talking about physical expressions of love.

For more information on the Salesians in Southern Africa, please click on the following link: www.salesians.org.za

For more information on the Salesian movement worldwide, please click on the following link:
www.sdb.org