A Garden Paradise in the Clouds
by Thomas Shivers
In the mountains of Eswatini, Warren has built a garden around indigenous plants, permaculture and local ecological knowledge. But the landscape he has carefully cultivated is facing a changing climate. He has witnessed heavier and less predictable rains, flooding, soil erosion, crop failures and the spread of invasive species. His response combines practical adaptation with conservation: cultivating native plants, restoring degraded land, reducing invasive wattle, reusing waste and producing organic compost. Working with like-minded neighbours, Warren hopes to develop a nature reserve around Sibebe Rock. His experience offers a grounded account of grassroots climate adaptation and the challenges of building resilience in a vulnerable rural community.