SIPHOFANENI – Over 40 youth from Siphofaneni constituency have been given a lifeline opportunity of being capacitated on agribusiness while in the process receive lucrative numerations designed to change their lives and that of their families.
This project has been initiated by the Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (ESWADE), in conjunction with MTN Eswatini and Swazi Empowerment Limited (SEL).
Eswatini Positive News can disclose with authority that three stakeholders, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, have funded the construction of several tunnels for youth agri-business in Maphilingo and Ntsabankhulu.
It is expected that 20 youth from Maphilingo and 20 from Ntsabankhulu will produce 500 vegetable plants for green pepper.
According to Zwelethu Dlamini, an officer from ESWADE, each tree will produce six kilograms of yellow and red pepper. Projections are that each kilogram will be sold for E25 and the production cost is estimated to cost E15 000.
Dlamini stated that the tunnels serve to guarantee production and each youth member will be paid E1500 per production cycle.
ESWADE Chief Executive Officer Sam Sithole assured government and the residents that the selected youth members will not quit school but are expected to attend the project during weekends. During the week, only members who have completed school will be on the field.
“ESWADE will also ensure the technical capacity of the project. Again, the Enterprise will ensure water availability for the project,” Sithole promised.
In addition, the CEO promised that ESWADE will ensure that market is available for all the produces through the engagement with NAMBoard.
Meanwhile, Mduduzi Mamba, who spoke on behalf of Siphofaneni Indvuna Yenkhundla, said ESWADE has brought so much development to Siphofaneni hence they are grateful.
“We hope that the project will expand even to other communities and benefit much youth of the area,” he said.
Mamba further pleaded with the authorities of Siphofaneni to allocate more land to projects that will benefit the youth of Siphofaneni.
‘There is business opportunity for youth’ – MTN CEO
SIPHOFANENI – Wandile Mtshali, Chief Executive Officer – MTN Eswatini, says as much as the economy is struggling there is an opportunity for the youth of Siphofaneni to thrive in business.
The CEO said this during the launch of the tunnels for youth agribusiness in Maphilingo and Ntsabankhulu last Friday. The event was attended by Minister of Agriculture Jabulani Mabuza, Hhukwini Member of Parliament Nkhanyeti Ngwenya, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Bongani Masuku, ESWADE CEO Sam Sithole, SEL Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Chairman Shaka Ndlangamandla, and government officials.
“As MTN, we will continue to partner with ESWADE and other stakeholders to support projects that ought to develop the youth through our youth empowerment programs. MTN will provide resources so that the projects, like this one, become a success,” Mntshali said. He said the launch of the Maphilingo and Ntsabankhulu youth agribusiness marked a milestone for MTN as the company pushes for youth empowerment. He said unemployment has been pushed deeper by COVID-19. He explained that MTN will assist the 40 youth agribusiness members in their project in Siphofaneni.
Meanwhile, Shaka Ndlangamandla, SEL Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Chairman, said E125 000 has been injected into this project.
“The target is that we assist the youth of the area start businesses so that they can also put food on the table and feed their families,” he said.
Ndlangamandla explained that the expectation is that the youth should deceit from criminal activities that can jeopardise their future. He disclosed that SEL is also extending its giving hand even to other constituencies.
