BY SIBUSISEKILE NDLANGAMANDLA
NHLANGANO– For five young entrepreneurs from the Shiselweni Region, weeks of learning, planning and refining their business ideas have ended with something tangible — E42 000 in seed capital to help turn their ambitions into growing enterprises.
The five emerged as winners following the conclusion of the four-week Shiselweni Business Incubation Training Programme, held at the Nhlangano Regional Education Office (REO) Hall.
The programme brought together 50 aspiring young entrepreneurs and was implemented by the Eswatini National Youth Council (ENYC) in partnership with the Small Enterprises Development Company (SEDCO) and Youth Enterprise Fund Eswatini.
Rather than focusing only on classroom theory, the programme equipped participants with practical skills they can use to establish, manage and grow sustainable businesses.
Over the four weeks, the young entrepreneurs were taken through entrepreneurship, business planning, financial literacy, costing and pricing, digital marketing and business pitching.
From the initial group of 50 participants, 10 finalists were selected to face what became one of the programme’s defining moments — pitching their business ideas before industry experts and strategic stakeholders.
For the finalists, it was an opportunity to demonstrate not only the strength of their ideas, but also their ability to convince potential supporters that their businesses could become viable enterprises.
At the end of the pitching process, Tebukhosi Mdziniso emerged as the overall winner and walked away with E15 000 in seed capital.
Tandzile Mntshali took second position and received E10 000, while Tenele Mhlanga finished third and received E7000.
Nduduzo Fakudze and Lindani each received E5000, bringing the total financial support awarded to the five entrepreneurs to E42 000.
The funding means the programme does not end with certificates and applause. Instead, the winners now have an opportunity to put their newly acquired skills into practice by starting or strengthening their businesses.
The awards also highlight the growing emphasis on linking youth entrepreneurship training with access to capital — one of the biggest hurdles often faced by young people with promising business ideas.
The event was attended by the Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs as well as different stakeholders who joined ENYC in recognising the efforts of the young entrepreneurs and encouraging them to build sustainable businesses.
Through its Nhlangano iHub model, ENYC is taking entrepreneurship support closer to young people in the Shiselweni Region by connecting them with training, mentorship and business-development opportunities.
The initiative further demonstrates how partnerships between youth institutions and business-development agencies can move young people beyond simply developing ideas to actually building enterprises.
For the five beneficiaries, the E42 000 represents more than prize money. It is an opportunity to buy equipment, secure stock, improve operations or meet some of the immediate costs associated with getting a business off the ground.
And for the other participants, the programme has provided practical knowledge that can continue to be used long after the incubation programme has ended.
Ultimately, the initiative is designed to help young people in Shiselweni transform business ideas into sustainable ventures capable of generating income, creating employment and contributing towards Eswatini’s wider economic development.
(Courtesy Pic)
