Celebrating Youth Skills Day

FWorld Chocolate Day to World French Fries Day, there is always something to celebrate. But one day, just yesterday, was quite significant—World Youth Skills Day.

Probably you are reading this and thinking I made the day up to fill up my quota of features for the month.

No, it exists. And should actually exist as a youth week, month and year because youth are the genesis and revelation of humanity.

We cannot go about our daily lives and seek socioeconomic development and better quality of life for all without recognising the role they play.

This Thought Leadership feature is one of the only features that shares anything about youth empowerment in the country.

IROM

SBUZZWORD

And strange because we are at a time when we all should make ‘youth’ the buzzword everywhere.

In my open letter to the Youth Minister in February, I suggested that it would be great that, as part of his five-year term legacy government introduces the word youth in all public

is part of our lives, and one cannot ignore it even on a thought leadership page. Watching the brave run by the national team to the Quarter Finals, one could not help but marvel at the other opportunities for the country.

Sports also advertise the country to potential visitors, and they get to know more about it as a tourism destination from the way we perform. We have seen it before with the

PORT

am a believer, to the highest King. I believe that He lives, not just yesterday or tomorrow, but He lives forever, beyond eternity even.

Every day, I believe more in this King, because He is the author and finisher of my faith.

My faith is my verified hope that things are already what I need them to be. Through faith, I get assurance that I have already been blessed with everything that my Creator has destined statements.

A move that would be a reminder that they are a part of the development and are always remembered. I am yet to get any reply in my Gmail account to that letter.

Then again, it was merely a suggestion, and suggestions are to be considered or discarded. I digress. Back to World Youth Skills Day.

A brief history I got online about this day was that World Youth Skills Day is celebrated on July 15 every year.

EXISTENCE

It has been celebrated since 2014 after the United Nations announced its existence.

According to the United Nations, the objective of World

Junior Achievement Schools participants who have gone on to excel at the African and world level.

There is something about the country’s talent that one cannot ignore.

Yes, the national team did not win the tournament, yes, they crashed out yet again. But the manner in which they fought really gives one the impression that Eswatini still remains a nation that is a cradle of talent. me for. So , I do not just live , but every day , I need to sharpen the faith I have , because it is what keeps me afloat even when the waters rise .

Because some days, we drown in sorrow, doubts, fear, anger and the entire note. But when faith is sharpened, we find hope, a refugee to keep our dreams secure.

We find counsel, and courage to carry on, to hold on just a little bit more. We are made strong and brave, and the reinvention from that makes us stand even in the worst days.

My weapon to sharpen faith is PRAYER! The tool to connecting the dots of my life. It is the glue that holds my dreams and goals intact. The one that balances my thoughts and gives me a guide to follow. It is the only connection

Youth Skills Day is to “celebrate the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship.”

Events in honour of the day tend to involve opportunities to provide young people with spaces for dialogue with educational institutions, employers, policymakers, and development partners.

UPSKILLING

The upskilling of the youth has become increasingly important in light of the world slowly shifting to sustainable development.

The objective is music to my ears. Upskilling and involving opportunities for the youth.

On Facebook, there is a sarcastic trend that Eswatini has no celebrities. Usually, psychologists will tell you that when someone says something mean, it says more about them than the people they speak of.

CELEBRATED

Eswatini has produced stars in the arts sector that have been celebrated globally.

Too many to list on this halfpage feature, and it continues to create them.

The country has also produced

I have with my Creator, my way of realising my purpose on this world.

VESSEL

Prayer is that vessel that carries my life. It contains everything that I need to survive and live through each day. Without it, my life is meaningless and

Further information on this day states that World Youth Skills Day 2022 takes place amid concerted efforts toward socioeconomic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic interconnected with challenges such as climate change, conflict, persisting poverty, rising inequality, and rapid technological change, demographic transition and others on a global stage. The UNESCO website states that young women and girls, young persons with disabilities, youth from poorer households, rural communities, indigenous peoples, and minority groups, as well as those who suffer the consequences of violent conflict and political instability, continue to be excluded due to a combination of factors.

CRISIS

In addition, the crisis has accelerated several transitions the world of work was already undergoing, which add layers of uncertainty regarding the skills and competencies that will be in demand after the pandemic is overcome.

This, therefore, all means that while the day has come and gone, we must celebrate it as we advance with concerted efforts to involve youth in all we do. In all programmes and things happening around us. Earlier in May, we saw Junior Achievement(JA) Eswatini rise to the occasion and honour the youth with a first-of-itskind youth summit.

outstanding sports personalities that have graced international covers and tournaments, including the ultra-talented Nobuhle Dlamini.

To say we have no one worth celebrating is a damp squib. But back to the lesson from the soccer team.

I noted that as some of the games progressed, there were also some remarks that they would lose each match on social media.

Despite that negativity, they did not until the 19 penalties against Senegal. Despite many laughing at them for crashing out, they still, however, did without direction. Hence, I am careful of each time I lose the words to say because, it is impossible of me not to have any word to say to my Creator.

So we all need to take heed that we don’t run out of words to show appreciation for breathing, walking and talking. The little

At the same time, the Ministry of Labour also had its Career Fair throughout the week, where it also put giving young people skills at the forefront.

These initiatives have shown intentionality by organisations to bring youth back to the agenda and part of the country’s development efforts.

MTN Eswatini then really put the cherry on top when they put youth at the centre of their 21 Days of Y’ello Care last month. Not only talking the talk but also giving out E100 000 to be shared by ten youth companies at E10 000 each after participating in an MTN Doers Den Competition.

Having been a part of the judging process, I was impressed to see so many bright minds and globally ready ideas from our youth.

Indeed our youth has the skills and need the support from the public and private sector to realise those dreams.

INSPIRE

The 21 Days was correctly themed ‘Empowering Communities to Drive Economic Recovery’. The aim, a press release read, was to inspire MTNers to heed the call to upskill local communities to drive economic activity and participation through focusing on digital skills training and digital job creation. They explained that they were committed to adding economic value by contributing to society through programmes focused on digital education, digital skills and digital skills training. And this came at the right time when the global community is now digital. So let’s honour youth skills throughout the year.

themselves proud. No one remembers the silver winners, no one remembers the third place and worse quarter-finalists.

But people do remember those who fought despite the odds stacked against them. Such a fight, described by the commentators as a ‘stubborn Sihlangu’ for their bravery, shows that in whatever one faces, we should always keep trying and, even if we lose, we lose, knowing we did our best. And try once again next time. Eventually, we get it right. Even the best first lost many times.

you have is more than enough because He blessed you with it. So pray that He protects it and He keeps you afloat.

Pray that He opens your eyes and make you see, the beauty that made the sun, and He make you understand why you should be patient.

I pray , not because all is well, at times I pray when I am lost and don’t even know how I will , but I always figure it out .

KEY

Prayer is that key that opens the front, main door that allows you to each room of wins. It is a muscle of strength that keeps you walking and running without easily tiring.

If there is something that should get you by, it is prayer. So pray, without ceasing …it will sharpen your faith and you will hold on since the light in this tunnel is now closest, it is just a matter of time. Pray!

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