BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
NOKWANE- The Minister of Information, Communications and Technology, Savannah Maziya, has called on young EmaSwati to stop complaining and start investing in themselves for the future, saying digital skills such as coding and artificial intelligence (AI) are critical to Eswatini’s long-term development.
Speaking on January 30, 2026, during the Cheat Code Workshop held at the RSTP Nokwane Auditorium, Minister Maziya challenged the youth to move away from a mindset of waiting for opportunities and instead become job creators, innovators and solution providers.
She stressed that Eswatini needs 300 000 digitally skilled citizens out of a population of about 1.2 million to remain competitive in the global digital economy.
“We spend too much time complaining, yet the future is waiting for us,” the Minister said. “Instead of asking who will employ us, we must invest in ourselves and prepare to create jobs.”
Acknowledging that the target may appear ambitious, Minister Savannah Maziya said meaningful transformation requires bold thinking.
“I am used to big asks. When we said all government services would be brought together on one platform, people said it was impossible. Today we have Government in Your Hand. That is what happens when we stop doubting and start building.”
She described innovation as “good crazy,” encouraging young people not to fear the future but to plan for it. “Coding may make you crazy, but it is good crazy, the kind that takes you into the future. Countries that are wealthy today prepared for the future years ago. Now we must do the same.”
The Minister highlighted that many coding and AI courses are available free of charge online, noting that the main requirement is internet access. She added that Government continues to expand free Wi-Fi at Tinkhundla Centres, national libraries, selected schools and smart city facilities, including Mbabane.
Minister Savannah Maziya urged EmaSwati to imagine a nation where everyone is economically active.
“What a pleasure it would be if our 1.2 million people were fully employed either working for someone or creating jobs for others. We can build apps that solve global problems and earn quality incomes.”
She cited global technology leaders such as Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Page, Sergey Brin and Jensen Huang, noting that their success came from early investment in knowledge and innovation.
Warning against complacency, the Minister said failure to embrace the Fourth Industrial Revolution would leave Eswatini behind.
“No one is coming to save us. We must save ourselves by investing in our skills. This is the African Century, and if we miss this AI age, we risk becoming irrelevant.”
Participants welcomed the Minister’s message. Bonkhe Shabangu, an influencer, praised her leadership and engagement with the youth.
“Thank you, Honourable Minister Savannah Maziya, for empowering us. Your commitment to training 300 000 EmaSwati in coding skills is a powerful investment in our future and will help our communities thrive in the digital economy.”
The Cheat Code Workshop focused on equipping participants with practical digital and coding skills, reinforcing the message that “Coding is access Eswatini to the world.”
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