Africa-Press – Eswatini. “We as the youth, we are not a phase but a revolution waiting to happen.” These were the words of Ellis Dlamini, Chairperson of the Velezizweni Youth Co-operative, who on Friday echoed His Majesty King Mswati III’s call for stronger youth involvement in policy-making during his keynote at the 2025 Eswatini International Trade Fair.
Dlamini said young people were agents of change who brought fresh energy, ideas, and innovation needed to tackle the pressing challenges of today. He argued that excluding youth voices from decision-making was “short-sighted” at a time when social cohesion was fragile and the stakes for the nation’s future were at an all-time high.
“Youth engagement is not about pandering to us, it is about making decisions more effective and restoring trust in public institutions,” he told reporters.
Building Skills, Driving Change
According to Dlamini, active youth participation not only benefits communities but also equips young people with skills, networks, and experiences valued in the workplace. This, he said, could drive academic performance, emotional well-being, and economic mobility.
“The youth are dynamic, and their untapped energy creates a powerful force that can transform rural areas,” he added. “By embracing new ideas, we can break away from traditional paradigms and deliver solutions to long-standing issues.”
From Vision to Action
Established in 2024 in Mankayane, Velezizweni Youth Co-operative is already putting those words into action. With seven hectares of community land under beans, maize, and potatoes, and access to 170 hectares in Shiselweni under Chief Malambule, the group is working to boost food production, create jobs, and bridge the rural–urban divide.
The co-operative has also outlined ambitious goals: setting up a vibrant youth centre with a library, arts hub, and job creation programmes; building entrepreneurship support structures; running a care point for disadvantaged youth; and equipping members with vocational and agricultural skills.
Partnerships for Progress
The group has reached out to Run Agri Services for technical support in irrigation, fencing, fruit tree planting, and skills apprenticeships. Dlamini explained that collaborations like these would help turn their aspirations into reality while creating new markets and opportunities for partners.
“Working together, we can upskill young people, strengthen agricultural value chains, and even open cross-border trade,” he said.
A Revolution in Motion
As the chairperson concluded, he reminded the audience that the youth are more than bystanders in Eswatini’s development story.
“We are agents of change,” he insisted. “Our contribution is not just the future — it is now.”
With His Majesty’s rallying call for youth participation echoing across the nation, the Velezizweni Youth Co-operative is proving that with vision, energy, and support, young people can indeed turn revolution into reality.
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