Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Youth Sustainable Development Centre is encouraging youth to embrace technology and climate awareness to remain relevant in the future job market.
This was highlighted by Nokuthula Mamba, Director of the Youth Sustainable Development Centre, during an interview on Eswatini TV’s Kusile Breakfast Show. She was speaking about the EcoDigital Innovators Academy, a programme that trains youth aged 15 to 18 and older in practical skills to tackle climate change using smart, tech-driven solutions.
Mamba said young people need to understand that the world is changing and so must their approach.
“We are saying, let’s think smart, let’s be innovative. Let’s create solutions that don’t just help one person but serve entire communities,” she said.
She noted that the academy addresses national challenges such as food insecurity, plastic pollution, waste management, and youth unemployment, while also encouraging youth to engage in development-driving sectors.
Mamba also called for more internship opportunities during school holidays to expose high school learners to real-world experiences.
“They need to know what it takes to be an economist, an accountant, or any other professional. It’s not just about academic excellence, but also about having practical, usable skills,” she added.
Access to stable internet, tech hubs in rural communities, and qualified computer teachers remain challenges for many young people. Mamba stressed the need to build more digital learning spaces in schools and communities and to make internet access affordable and widespread.
She believes mentorship and exchange programmes can help bridge the gap between school learning and real-world expectations.
“What we are learning in school and what is happening out there are two different things,” she said.
The Eco Digital Innovators Academy continues to champion a generation that is not only academically sound but also climate-smart and digitally prepared to face tomorrow’s challenges.
“We need to prepare now, not after school. The future of work has already started,” Mamba concluded.
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