Africa-Press – Eswatini. MTN Foundation in an effort to bring about meaningful measurable and sustainable change has sponsored three organisations that foster entrepreneurship in the country with E950 000.
During the Youth Empowerment Projects cheque handover ceremony at Mahlalekhukhwini House yesterday, Junior Achievement Eswatini, SEDCO, Young Heroes and Youth Enterprise Revolving Fund (YERF) received financial support from the foundation to assist them as they execute their mandate.
JA Eswatini received E200 000, YERF E200 000, SEDCO E250 000 while Young Heroes got E300 000.
MTN Foundation Board Chairperson Busisiwe Simelane said the sponsorship was part of their contribution to addressing the challenge of youth unemployment and stimulation of economic recovery.
“We strongly believe that these programmes will fuel Eswatini’s entrepreneurship by enabling young and smart entrepreneurs to kick-off with their projects or businesses,” said Simelane. The board chairperson highlighted that the Foundation was incredibly excited to continue collaborating with the organisations.
“These are organisations that have really augmented the MTN Foundation dream of empowering young people in Eswatini in various programmes, such as providing scholarships for vulnerable youth in TVET, entrepreneurship training and loans for young people to start and grow their businesses,” said Simelane.
She added that the event was where MTN Foundation and partners reflected and recommitted to the empowerment of young people, especially those that were keen on entrepreneurship programmes.
“We are saying, we see them, and we support them,” said the chairperson.
Simelane further explained that it was MTN Foundation’s responsibility to ensure that the youth received the necessary support to thrive.
“It is also our contribution to the country’s economic recovery process to support the development of young people and youth entrepreneurs who will contribute to the acceleration of economic activities going forward,” said Simelane.
She assured the public that the Foundation would continue to come up with initiatives to empower and grow young people’s businesses.
On that note, SEDCO CEO Khethiwe Mhlanga thanked the Foundation on behalf of the beneficiaries.
“We appreciate that MTN has noted that the youth should not be left out as they are the ones who must drive this country,” said the CEO.
Mhlanga stated that using entrepreneurship to enable the youth would make Eswatini better focus on local goods production.
“Mostly, the country was exposed to importing goods from South Africa, but now the young people are being creative and innovative such that they are bringing products themselves within the country, which they will take to the next level,” said Mhlanga.
One of the beneficiaries from SEDCO, Funeka Mdluli from the Lubombo region said her business was apiculture.
“I used to buy honey which I then supplied to OK foods as well as Spar, but with this support I plan to start bee keeping and fixing to formalise my business,” said Mdluli.
She was thankful to MTN and SEDCO as they continued to ensure that young people start and manage their own businesses while creating jobs for others.
Bongekile Msibi, who is a YERF beneficiary and is in chicken production, also extended her appreciation revealing that the support from YERF enabled her to employ three people in her business, one of whom was a permanent employee.
“I will use this financial assistance to get insurance for my business because disasters happen, which could sabotage one’s business,” she said.
Bongekile Nkosi, who is also a beneficiary, thanked MTN, further advising young women to not be afraid to penetrate male dominated industries. “I further encourage young people that will come after us to take this type of assistance very seriously,” said Nkosi.
For More News And Analysis About Eswatini Follow Africa-Press
