BY LUNGA DLAMINI
MBABANE – MTN Eswatini donated E200 000 towards Vukani BoMake project yesterday at the MTN headquarters in Zulwini.
The sponsorship was reserved by Dr Irma Allen who is the founder of Vukani BoMake. Allen thanked MTN for the partnership for its meaningful social responsibility. “MTN is opening doors and possibilities for people especially women and young girls. An empowered woman is a strong partner in marriage”, DR Irma added. She explained that MTN was not just skilling and financing women projects but also keeping the environment clean because these woman were turning trash into cash.
The Chief Executive Officer of business Eswatini Nathi Dlamini said Vukani BoMake will change the world for the better because its members are hardworking and committed. He added that these were women and young girls are drawn from darkest places and empowered with skills to earn a living. These women designed various outfits for over 500 performers who were doing display performances during the 55/55 celebrations on Wednesday. MTN never plants anywhere unless there’s a social dividend everywhere. Concluding his sentiments he said they would make this sponsorship go a long way.
According to the MTN Foundation Chairperson Board, MTN is passionate about economic empowerment of marginalized groups in particular the Youth, Women and Girls in rural areas. The prevailing economic conditions and high unemployment rates among the youth have made us even more resolute about partnering in the alleviation of disfranchised groups, creating shared value in our communities.
“We have observed that young people desperately require entrepreneurial skills and opportunities through which they can address food security in households and unemployment. It is for that reason we have partnered with organizations such as Business Eswatini who are always finding ways to empower communities”, said the Chairperson.
MTN Chief Executive Officer Wandile Mtshali said the partnership would continue into the future and MTN targeted young women because the future is young.
The Vukani BoMake Project was launched in 2020 by Business Eswatini in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The project provides employment and running of business opportunities. The unique factor about the project is that they use waste to create goods and then sell for profit giving life to the slogan “turning trash into treasure”. The project does not only provides employment but also seeks to protect the environment from waste pollution.
