BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – His Majesty King Mswati III is calling for more job opportunities to be created in the country.
The King calls for such opportunities because of the concerns he has, as far as unemployment is concerned in the country. The King made this call today (Wednesday, July 10, 2024) when he toured the Power Pack Africa firm in Matsapha.
His Majesty the King, during the tour, stated that he acknowledged the number of young people who approached him, asking to be given a chance to be employed. The King also toured the Swazi Paper Mills, which is also situated in Matsapha.
When touring the Swazi Paper Mills, the King expressed happiness when he witnessed the technology that was being used quality paper products that were fit for human consumption. He said he noted that some of the paper materials had some undesirable elements such as remains of broken bottles, which were not needed to make the quality products produced at Swazi Paper Mills.
He said he was impressed by the technology used to remove undesired elements in order for the desired products to be produced. The King also stated that these companies would be expanded in different phases. He said he looked forward to many people being employed, as the companies continued to expand.
Last week, the King was approached by two members of the country’s youth, who sought to have an audience with him. They wanted the King to intervene and end their stress that came with being unemployed. The two young people are Gabsile Mavuso (24) of Tingulubeni in Matsapha and Senzo Hleta (21) of Ngonini, also in Matsapha.
Mavuso approached the King when he toured the Eswatini Oil Mill Industries (SOMI) on June 28, 2024. Hleta approached the King last week Monday (July 1, 2024) when he toured the Manzini Lifestyle Centre. Mavuso’s family resides in Matsapha (Tingulubeni), but her family had been ordered to vacate, as it lives in a private property. Government promised to construct a new house for her family, at a place yet to be confirmed.
Hleta stays in Ngonini, around Matsapha with his unemployed mother, Nonhlanhla Kunene. Hleta could not finish his basic education because of financial constraints. In 2022, Hleta and his mother encountered an unfortunate incident when the house they lived in was burnt. As time went on, the house started developing cracks, making their lives even more difficult.
What is good about both situations is that Mavuso and Hleta will soon be employed. Mavuso will become a civil servant, while Hleta will be employed by SOMI. Hleta’s dream is to become a carpenter. Both of them could not finish school due to financial constraints.