Competition to be launched on January 31

TechnoServe’s BPC Manager Jean Mwenda said the application period would open on January 31, 2009 and would run for e period of two months, closing on March 20, 2009.

"The main launch will be on January 31, 2009 at Matata and applications will open on the same day. The youth is invited to enter, as the application period will run for two months. After the application period closes in March, the judges will look at all the entered concepts. The qualifying entrants will be trained and attached to mentors in the business sector and they will also be required to do oral presentations," Mwenda explained.

She added, "We will look at the most viable and robust concept for the main prize. The winners will then be given after-care courses."

She also said they would have road shows in the four regions of the country, starting in the Lubombo region. She further said Promotions Company Swazi Boy would be roped in to market the competition through the road shows.

Swazi Boy’s Shadow Zwane said, "It has been said that edutainment is one of the best ways of sending a message to the youth. We will be using below the market marketing and some may ask why. This is because it is free and it is easy to get to everyone. We are not expecting less than 1 500 people per road show. We have roped in local entertainers to entertain the youth during the road shows," said Zwane.

Application forms will be available during the road shows, as well as at the Swaziland National Youth Council (SNYC), as well as from other partners.