E50 000 START-UP FOR YOUTH IN JA/MTN PROGRAMME

MBABANE – At least 36 young people graduated with entrepreneurship training under the MTN foundation/Junior Achievement (JA) Eswatini partnership at Mpaka Vocational Centre.

At least five of the beneficiaries received E10 000 each to assist start their businesses this past week. This partnership has entered its fifth year with 142 young people impacted and E625 000 utilised in training them. This is as per a correspondence from JA Communications and Marketing Specialist Siphesihle Mkhonta. Present at the graduation was MTN Foundation Board Chairperson Busisiwe Simelane; SEDCO Chief Executive Officer Khetsiwe Mhlanga, who represented government; Lubombo Regional Secretary (RS)Jane Mkhonta; and JA Eswatini Executive Director Phetsile Masilela.

Mhlanga, highlighted that such trainings were important for the country’s development towards improving livelihoods. She mentioned that many partners were coming together to ensure young people were empowered, highlighting the Mpaka Vocational Centre as an example of good partnership. She also encouraged young people to be innovative and address the issues of climate change and pandemics. The Lubombo RS also urged JA Eswatini to decentralise its services, saying Lubombo would gladly assist in piloting decentralising services for youth to access in their areas.  

JA Eswatini Executive Director Masilela praised MTN Foundation for intentionally investing in young people through the many partnerships that they have embarked on with different entities. She said the youth once trained had to access the many funds put up by government to empower them. Sakhile Sifundza, a beneficiary in the 2021 sponsorship, thanked MTN Foundation, Mpaka Vocational Centre and JA Eswatini for empowering them with skills that will assist them start businesses.

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