MBABANE – Ngwane Teachers College has since been crowned national champions of the Enactus competition.
This come at a time when the college had also represented the country at the semi-finals of the Enactus World Cup 2021 held in Egypt this month.
When presenting the award this morning, Prime Minister Cleopas Sipho Dlamini urged the youth in entrepreneurship to take advantage of government’s MSME support schemes.
The schemes include the Youth Enterprise Revolving Fund, the Regional Development Fund, the Informal Traders Fund as well as the Small Scale Loan Guarantee and Export Credit Guarantee schemes. Government supports Enactus with an E500 000 annual subvention.
“It comes as a relief to His Majesty’s Government to see young people crafting their trajectory to their success and others. This is evidence that the next generation of leaders we are raising have the right propensity to take this nation forward,” the PM said.
He continued: “This is a pure demonstration of the potential of the demographic dividend that the country can benefit from if the youth can indulge themselves in the socio-economic space. Such projects contribute to the economic recovery of the Nation and make a huge contribution to GDP.”
The premier stated that government is ready to render the best support possible for such initiatives through programs and initiatives that address the challenges faced by youth in business, such as access to finance, market linkages, business development, and technology services.
“Let me call upon all emaSwati youth to direct their passion on the right things and pursue purpose. The purpose will never misdirect you and purpose shall drive you to your God-given destiny where you will have nothing to regret but everything to celebrate,” he said.
“It is my desire that in the short to medium term, some of these businesses being paraded today get a space and increase their market share to compete with international brands that are trading locally,” he said.
He said government is also hoping that the Citizens Economic Empowerment Bill, upon receiving His Majesty’s ascend, will help accelerate the process so that emaSwati enjoy improved livelihoods.
Meanwhile, Enactus Board Chairperson Sandile Simelane said one of the strengths of the Enactus program is challenging young people to be value-driven leaders.
“Our project teams have demonstrated the ability to create value through the projects they have come up with,” he said.
