BY SIBUSISEKILE NDLANGAMANDLA
MANZINI – The Eswatini National Population and Development Essay Competition has received 287 essays from learners across the country, with adjudication completed ahead of the announcement of winners in November 2026.
Nomvula Ndwandwe, Planning Officer from the National Population Unit, said the competition has progressed well, supported by collaboration between the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development, the Ministry of Education and Training and the United Nations Population Fund. Hhohho submitted 73 essays, while Manzini recorded 88 and Shiselweni 22.
The competition aims to increase learners’ understanding of population and development issues and strengthen their knowledge of how population data contributes to sustainable development. Learners were challenged to respond to the question: “How can population data benefit youth in development?”
The Ministry said learners demonstrated a high level of engagement with the question, with submissions showing extensive research and a strong understanding of population and development issues.
The marking process, conducted in August 2026, involved the English Department inspectorate and two English teachers from each region under the Ministry of Education and Training, together with officials from the National Population Unit under the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development.
The Ministry said the competition was closely contested, with the quality of the submissions impressing adjudicators. It said the first-place winner was agreed upon by the adjudicators after the marking process.
Learners identified several ways population data can support development, including influencing decisions on where to build hospitals, schools, high-tech facilities and businesses. They linked these investments to opportunities for young people in education, healthcare and employment.
The competition has also highlighted the digital divide among schools. The Ministry noted that one or two of the 287 submissions were handwritten, describing the learners’ determination to participate despite possible limitations in access to digital resources.
The Ministry said the handwritten submissions also demonstrated the need to continue addressing the digital divide in Eswatini schools. The winners will be announced during the National Population and Development Summit scheduled for November 2026. Prizes include an iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPad, laptop and certificates.
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