JA Eswatini trains 100 for incubation centre

MBABANE - The Generation Unlimited programme implemented by Junior Achievement Eswatini in the Shiselweni Region has seen the first 100 sponsored young people trained on entrepreneurship.

The programme is funded by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Eswatini and housed by Eswatini National Youth Council in Nhlangano. It is aimed at training youth on social entrepreneurship.

JA Eswatini Executive Director

Phetsile Masilela commended the youth for their commitment in both applying and attending the trainings. She told them that they were the pioneers who would be part of the incubation centre a first in the country, which will be feeding to the national incubation centre at Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP)

“Please be aware that this is a first project like this we are doing and we would like to walk with you until the end where we see the results of the incubation centre,” she said.

The youth in this group is educated, some with degrees but because of the high unemployment rate some are at home.

Masilela urged them to make a difference in their lives by finishing the training and ensuring success in what they started. She urged them to finish the course and see where it takes them.

Awarded

From the 100 young people trained, 15 best business ideas will be awarded E15 000 each at the end of the training which is still to continue with the mentorship component.

Speaking for the youth who are undergoing the ongoing training was Zwakele Dlamini from Sigwe Constituency, who mentioned how privileged they were to have been given such an opportunity to pursue their dreams.

She highlighted that young people were educated as she had a Degree in Tourism but because of COVID-19 and limited opportunities, she was jobless.

“We did idea generation and other business components needed to be known by everyone in business. We are excited that our training will be ongoing for the next 12 months,” she said.

On request going forward, Dlamini asked that they be given small grants to start up their businesses as currently they had ideas but lacked money to start and grow.

Considered

The young people are also requesting to be considered in idle farms as they need land to cultivate and produce products for export purposes.

JA Eswatini, UNICEF Local Office and ENYS, will next week officially launch the incubation which will assist the young people kick start their businesses by having free access to the incubation centre.

They will be able to market their businesses through the centre and allow them to tap into the Fourth Industrial Revolution.