… Within two weeks of launch
BY PHUMELELE MKHONTA
MBABANE– Eswatini Youth is hungry for success!
This has shown as the youth in the country have warmly welcome the Eswatini Youth Empowerment Programme. Within 10 days of the programmers online launch, over 611 Youth have registered.
245 of the applicants are from the Manzini Region, 210 are from the Hhohho Region, 92 are from the Shiselweni Region and 64 are from the Lubombo Region.
The Eswatini Youth Empowerment Programme (EYEP), which was endorsed by His Majesty King Mswati III about a month ago, has come to life as it now has a fully running online platform.
Initiated by the United Nations Development Programme, EYEP started running over a week ago with many emaSwati taking to their social media how great the initiative was.
Worth noting is that currently, Eswatini is facing rife youth unemployment and this initiative is one of the ways to mitigate the situation.
According to the platform, there are three available options for participating in Eswatini Youth Empowerment Programme (EYEP) and they are namely graduates, non-graduates and host organisations.
UNDP Communications Specialist Mantoe Phakathi confirmed the launch of EYEP, however could not comment any further by the time this article was being compiled.
Over a month ago, His Majesty King Mswati III has endorsed a youth empowerment programme that seeks to improve the livelihoods of young people in the country.
The Eswatini Head of State endorsed the above mentioned initiative at Lozitha Royal House.
Developed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the government, the private sector and civil society organisations, the Eswatini Youth Empowerment Programme aims to significantly reduce youth unemployment. The programme was also developed following an extensive engagement with young people, graduates, and non-graduates, across the four regions of the country.
The programme supports young people between 18 to 35 years old to gain work experience, skills, and access to jobs. It responds to the youth’s socio-economic challenges, including difficulties in finding employment.
Industries also report on a mismatch between the needs of the job market and the current output of the employable population, and a general challenge of finding the skills they are looking for among young graduates who apply to their institutions. Notably, half of the young people who graduate from primary school do not transition to secondary school because of several socio-economic challenges.
The King said the country’s youthful population had the potential to propel economic growth and contribute to the achievement of our vision to attain first-world status.
“This can only be achieved within a peaceful environment where investment and development can thrive. I want to commend UNDP for working collaboratively with the Government, Private Sector, parastatals, and development partners to pilot this programme aimed at mobilising all key stakeholders towards a deliberate and systematic approach in addressing the daunting issue of youth unemployment,” said the King.
UNDP Resident Representative in Eswatini Rose Ssebatindira said they had also observed during the design of this programme that, under the King’s leadership, that the government was already heavily invested in varied youth programmes, including others supported by development partners, private sector, and parastatals.
“This programme aims to provide a government-led national vehicle for delivering a well-coordinated concerted effort to address the multidimensional nature of youth poverty. I would like to reiterate the UNDP Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa, Ahunna Eziakonwa’s strong belief and commitment that this is indeed achievable – empowerment of young people should be at the centre of sustainable development for any country.”
Worth noting is that during the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, UNGA77, His Majesty King Mswati III explored ways in Eswatini would eradicate poverty in five years.
To participate in the EYEP one must meet the following requirements:
For Graduates
• Must be a citizen of Eswatini.
• Be a fresh graduate – holds a Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma or Certificate – from any discipline and graduated not earlier than 2017.
• Be 35 years old or younger.
• Demonstrate interest or commitment in a chosen career field.
• Demonstrate interest or commitment to contributing to Eswatini’s socio-economic development.
• Have excellent time management and a professional attitude.
• Have good verbal and written communication skills.
• Have no criminal record.
Maximum periods for EYEP Youth
A person may serve for a maximum of 1 year of EYEP assignment.
For Non-graduates
• Must be a citizen of Eswatini.
• Be out of school from any level not earlier than 2017.
• Be 35 years old or younger.
• Not currently engaged in any employment.
• Have at least completed the Primary School or Grade 7 Certificate.
• Demonstrate interest or commitment to learning a new skill.
• Demonstrate interest or commitment to contributing to Eswatini’s socio-economic development.
• Have excellent time management and a professional attitude.
• Have good verbal and reading skills.
• Have no criminal record.
