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MANZINI – The Minister of Economic Planning and Development, Dr Thambo Gina, says government is banking on youth participation in economic recovery to fight economic meltdown.

The minister, who was the guest speaker at the event, said this was because just like other countries globally, the country was facing a huge challenge of economic meltdown. In that regard, the minister said it was government’s mandate to ensure that youth participation in economic recovery of the country was prioritised.

He said JA Eswatini had been seen playing a huge role in financial literacy, entrepreneurship and work readiness empowerment. He said this kind of education was the one that would enforce a sustained economic recovery for the country and the continent at large.

“There is no better time to train young people, especially the adolescents on leadership skills and success. Instilling of this knowledge at a younger age will ensure that we have great leaders in future, who will lead with power and integrity,” the minister said.

On another note, the minister said COVID-19 had taken students away from schools for the better part of the past few years. However, he said they have seen JA Eswatini being resilient and still continuing with the empowerment programmes through virtual platforms. In that regard, the minister congratulated the Board of directors, executive management and staff of JA Eswatini for a job well done over the past 13 years, since its inception.

Skills

He said the Ministry of Education and Training played a critical role in allowing this programme to be implemented in 85 high schools and 20 primary schools in the current fiscal year. He said this had impacted at least 10 000 students with positive skills for their future.

On top of that, the minister said they had seen schools in the regions competing and there were top there winners in each region. He said this was good because it ensured that even schools in the rural areas participated in the entrepreneurship and financial literacy programme.

To the winners, the minister said they should go out there and represent the country and continent with pride and confidence. He said last year they saw Vulamasango High School representing the country well in Africa and became the first runner up.

“We are proud of the work that His Majesty’s Correctional Services is doing to make a positive change in the lives of youth. Today we will see the champion of the nation, who will further represent Eswatini in the Africa Competition on December 6, 2022 in Nigeria,” the minister said.

Commended

On another note, Dr Gina said they have seen JA Eswatini opening a new incubation hub in Nhlangano which is currently housing 100 young entrepreneurs. On that note, he commended the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) for the massive support that they have given to the youth of the country.

He said they were looking forward to more incubation hubs across the country to support the Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP), which was at national level. He said this approach encouraged innovation and business start-up at grass root level.

In that regard, the minister pleaded for more sponsors for JA so that they expand their coverage to all schools in the country and support more out of school youth with entrepreneurship skills. He said as government they pledge their continued support to the local programmes of JA Eswatini.