KWANELE TSABEDZE
MBABANE – What role should the youth play?
This was a prominent question in a meeting between the youth of Hhohho and the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development where they were discussing the National Population Policy (NPP) today at the Pigg’s Peak Hotel.
Welcoming the youth to the meeting, Acting Senior Regional Office in the Hhohho region Hlangabeza Shabangu thanked the youth for their enthusiasm in cooperating in the review of the National Policy.
“We believe that as you continue working, you will work well with respect, and that you will continue to engage with other issues such as the important we are discussing here today,” said Shabangu.
Speaking at the meeting, United Nations Population Fund representative Rachel Masuku revealed that this is a review exercise since the NPP has not been reviewed for 10 years since 2002 until this year’s review.
“What we are presenting today are submissions from the Regional Development team from Hhohho, and the young people,” said Masuku.
Youth representative Phephile Shongwe of Hhohho thanked the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development for following up with the youth so that they play a role in the development of the policy from what it is.
“I’d like to thank the Ministry of Economic Planning for including us in the review of this policy. It has been a long time since the policy was reviewed in 2002 – however, as we live in a transformed modern world where everything is computerised, I feel that involving us as the youth in the review of the policy will be very helpful,” said Shongwe.
The meeting with the youth today follows a similar engagement on the policy with the chiefs of the Hhohho region yesterday.
Issues addressed by the NPP include human rights, reproductive health, immigration policies, economic equality, equitable access to economic opportunities, vocational education all over the country, education curriculum to make schools successful, youth unemployment, land use, gender equality, and decentralisation of development initiatives.
