By EPN Reporter
MBABANE – Junior Achievement Eswatini is currently teaching Mpaka Vocational students entrepreneurship courses.
JA Eswatini is doing this in partnership with MTN Eswatini and the internship is to help the students acquire skills to help them start their own businesses upon completing whatever they are studying at Mpaka Vocational Training Centre.
The entrepreneurship courses started last year and four of the students from the training centre have hailed the course as being helpful to them, according to the JA Eswatini website. Gugu Magagula said she started the JA entrepreneurship training in October 2023. The reason for taking up the training was for her to learn more about entrepreneurship. “One thing that I am benefitting from the most is business plan writing which we are currently being taught,” Magagula said.
She went on to say the course made her look forward to starting an eco-friendly business. “I plan on selling ice as this area is very hot and people need a cooling effect. I think I’m also drawn to this business because it does not cause detriment to the environment,” she said.
Siphesihle Dlamini said he was eager to carry on learning because eventually, he would like to start a layers business. “My mother specialises in raring broilers. It would be an interesting challenge to do layers and contrast with the broilers. I plan to sell these chickens and eggs,” Dlamini said.
Mazwi Vilakati from Nkwene said he started JA Eswatini’s entrepreneurship training in August 2023. He felt the training truly encouraged them as the youth to be motivated in establishing their own business. “I am learning a lot about the importance of solving problems as a model for every business,” Vilakati said.
According to the student, most things locally were imported, which showed a gap in the market. He said he would like to start a furniture business, create his own furniture brand and sell to Emaswati. “There is a sense of pride in having locally produced products which are at par with those of international standards,” he said.
Bonginkosi Dlamini from Sigcaweni said he always heard about JA and desired to be a part of it. “I wanted to be able to use the opportunity to learn the importance of entrepreneurship in curbing youth unemployment. Young people should be inspired by the work that JAE is doing. They should use the training as fuel to not just seek employment but rather utilise their skills to earn a living,” Dlamini said.
He found himself blessed to be multi-skilled and therefore could use all his talents and skills to start a business. He said with the knowledge he had gained since he joined in October, he was confident that he too would be a successful business owner soon.
