90 Artisans under the Eswatini Youth Empowerment Programme (EYEP) graduate

The first cohort artisans to be trained under the Eswatini Youth Empowerment Programme (EYEP), led by UNDP, have graduated after 3 months.

The Artisanal Skills Training component of the EYEP is being implemented in the four regions of the Kingdom, in partnership  with the municipalities of Ezulwini, Mankayane, Nhlangano and Siteki. Ezulwini is the first to undertake the training in the Hhohho Region.

EYEP , which was launched by His Majesty King Mswati III less than a year ago, is part of a bigger UN Youth programme that also involves 8 UN agencies: FAO, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNAIDS, UNESCO, WHO, UN Women and WFP.

The 90 artisans from the Hhohho Region received certificates and starter packs from the Minister of Education and Training, Lady Howard-Mabuza, Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs, Harries Bulunga, UNDP Resident Coordinator, Rose Ssebatindira and UN Resident Coordinator, George Wachira at a ceremony held at the UN House in Mbabane on 14 September 2023.

The graduates are young people who were out of the formal school system and unemployed. They were trained in in six courses – sewing, upholstery, plumbing, building and construction, electrical installation, and metal work – facilitated by the Manzini Industrial Training Centre (MITC).

The 90 graduates – 51% are female and 49% male – were selected from over 350 applicants. 

Minister of Education, Lady Howard-Mabuza noted that the graduation of the artisans was evidence that lives can be transformed through hard work and dedication. He advised the graduates to prioritize respect in everything they do. “Your work will expose you to different people that you need to respect so that they support you,” she said.

Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs, Harries Bulunga expressed appreciation to UNDP for supporting Government’s vision of empowering young people. “We shall continue work together to make sure that His Majesty’s vision of an empowered youth is achieved,” he said.

UNDP Resident Representative, Rose Ssebatindira, noted that the problems of youth unemployment are complex and require the involvement of all stakeholders. “The problems of youth unemployment are complex and multifaceted and therefore require all our hands on deck, across institutions and most importantly the involvement of our communities,” she said.

UN Resident Coordinator, George Wachira told the graduates that integrity was key to the success of their future enterprises. “You need to make sure that you’re a person of integrity that people can trust when they are placing their orders and that the orders will be delivered,” he said.

Wachira applauded UNDP for responding swiftly to the challenges of youth unemployment and job creation in Eswatini.  “Job creation lies at the heart of lifting people out of poverty and contributes to social stability and economic prosperity,” he noted. “Job creation empowers individuals, families and communities; giving them a sense of purpose and dignity.”