Excitement was written all over the faces of youth graduates on their first day of training as they prepared for deployment to various organisations under the Eswatini Youth Empowerment Programme (EYEP). 

"Through this programme, I hope to grow and develop to become a valuable asset to the organisation where I will be deployed," said Zwelakhe Mashwama, a BA Degree in Finance and Banking graduate. 

"Through this programme, I hope to get a platform to contribute to the country's sustainability through interventions in poverty eradication and employment equality," said Dr Zitsile Khumalo, a Doctoral Degree in Economics graduate.

The two are among the 55 youth graduates to be the first deployed from the 200 selected out of the 2 800 that applied for the graduate placement programme under EYEP. Among the first cohort are 27 females and 26 males. Most graduates come from the Manzini Region, at 54%, followed by the Hhohho Region, with 22%. The least number of graduates is from the Shiselweni and Lubombo regions, with 14% and 10%, respectively.

About 60% of the 55 graduates have Bachelor's Degrees, 20% Associate Degrees, and 10% Honours Degrees. The remaining 10% hold Diplomas, Master's Degrees and PhD. 

Addressing the graduates, UNDP Acting Deputy Resident Representative, Mr. David Omozuafoh,  urged the youth to be great ambassadors of the programme, which UNDP in partnership with the government, private sector, the youth and academic institutions, developed. 

“We hope that the organisation that has received you will be happy to retain you or that you would want to be an employer yourself, which is possible,” said Omozuafoh.

He further expressed his gratitude to partners, including the CONCO and the Public Service Pension Fund, for the financial contribution to support the payment of stipends for the graduates.

Speaking at the same event, the Director of Youth at the Ministry of Sports Culture and Youth Affairs, Mr Bheki Thwala, congratulated the participants for their academic accomplishments and reminded them that they could still achieve more.

The selected graduates will undergo a three-day induction training programme at IDM Eswatini Campus, Matsapha, from 03-05 July 2023.

The training covers a wide range of topics, including creating a personal/career development plan, design thinking in entrepreneurship, why accountability matters, emotional equilibrium, and many more. 

Before their deployment in the first week of July, the graduates will be honoured at a certification ceremony at the University of Eswatini on 06 July 2023.