BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
NGWEMPISI– Hope, determination and a renewed sense of purpose defined the atmosphere on July 17, 2026, as nearly 300 young people from across Ngwempisi Inkhundla gathered with one shared ambition – to transform their lives, strengthen their communities and become agents of positive change through leadership, entrepreneurship and the fight against gender-based violence (GBV).
The capacity-building workshop, organised by the Ngwempisi Inkhundla Youth Committee in partnership with the Eswatini National Youth Council (ENYC) and the Ngwempisi Inkhundla Council, brought together young people, including persons with disabilities, from Ngcoseni, Velezizweni, Macudvulwini, Dladleni and neighbouring communities. The initiative reflected a growing commitment to equipping the country’s youth with the skills, confidence and values needed to contribute meaningfully to Eswatini’s development.
Speaking after the workshop, Ngwempisi Inkhundla Youth Chairperson Ellis “Lovutha” Dlamini said the programme was designed to transform mindsets while providing practical knowledge that would enable young people to become entrepreneurs, community leaders and active citizens.
“A stable mindset is a great asset that cultivates wisdom. When young people change the way they think, they begin to see opportunities where others see obstacles. That is the foundation of leadership, entrepreneurship and community development,” said Dlamini.
He said the workshop equipped participants with practical skills in entrepreneurship, leadership, civic engagement and business planning while also addressing the growing challenge of gender-based violence.
“Our vision is to empower young people with practical skills that will help them create employment for themselves, participate in governance and become responsible leaders within their communities,” he said.
Dlamini noted that youth unemployment remained one of the greatest challenges facing Ngwempisi, making entrepreneurship a vital pathway towards economic empowerment.
“Many young people have innovative business ideas but lack the technical skills to implement them. Through this training, participants learned how to write business plans, identify market opportunities and access support for micro and small enterprises,” he said.
A key highlight of the programme was a dedicated session on gender-based violence, where facilitators encouraged participants to become advocates for safer homes and stronger communities.
“Addressing GBV is central to development in our inkhundla. We cannot talk about progress if our communities are not safe. Young people must be part of the solution and must lead efforts to end violence,” Dlamini said.
The workshop also featured sessions on leadership and democratic participation, encouraging young people to take an active role in governance and community decision-making while inspiring them to consider future leadership positions.
Speaking on behalf of the Ngwempisi Inkhundla Council, Indvuna Yenkhundla Mliba Mabuza applauded the Ngwempisi Inkhundla Youth Committee and ENYC for investing in the future of the area’s youth.
“We are fully behind this initiative because empowering young people today means building stronger communities tomorrow. We thank everyone who contributed to making this programme a success,” Mabuza said.
Ngwempisi Member of Parliament Bhekibandla Vilakati urged participants to remain steadfast, patriotic and committed to using the knowledge they had gained to improve both their own lives and those of future generations.
“I encourage you to stand firm, choose patriotism and put development first. Take these lessons seriously because they have the potential to change your lives and contribute meaningfully to the development of Ngwempisi and Eswatini,” Vilakati said.
The workshop concluded with renewed optimism as participants left inspired to become champions of entrepreneurship, peace, responsible leadership and community development. The initiative underscored the shared commitment of local leaders and youth organisations to nurturing a generation equipped to drive sustainable development and build a stronger future for Ngwempisi and the Kingdom of Eswatini.
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(Courtesy Pic)
