BY PHUMELELE GAMEDZE
MBABANE – A new chapter in youth empowerment is unfolding across Eswatini as the renovation of community youth centres promises to transform familiar buildings into vibrant spaces where young people can learn, innovate, build businesses and unlock their full potential.
Communities in Siphofaneni, Ntfonjeni and Lomahasha are witnessing more than construction work they are witnessing an investment in the future of Eswatini’s youth. The ongoing renovations of the Youth Development Centres, spearheaded by the Eswatini National Youth Council (ENYC), form part of a broader initiative to decentralise youth services and make life changing opportunities more accessible to young people across the country.
Once completed, the centres will provide welcoming, inclusive and youth friendly environments designed to support learning, entrepreneurship, innovation, digital skills development and personal growth. Rather than travelling long distances to access youth programmes, young people will soon be able to receive essential services within their own communities.
According to ENYC, the organisation is mandated to coordinate youth development initiatives in Eswatini while creating an enabling environment for the socio economic development of young people. Through strategic partnerships with government, development partners and the private sector, ENYC continues to expand opportunities that improve the quality of life for the country’s youth.
The transformation of the centres builds on a long-term vision that began with the establishment of youth centres across the country as community platforms for youth focused programmes. Today, those facilities are being reimagined as modern Youth Development Centres where young people can access entrepreneurship support, technical and vocational skills training, career guidance, business incubation, digital literacy programmes and leadership development under one roof.
Earlier this year, ENYC announced plans to decentralise its services through youth centres in Ntfonjeni, Lomahasha, Ludzeludze and Siphofaneni, describing them as future hubs of opportunity and empowerment. The initiative reflects the organisation’s commitment to ensuring that no young person is left behind, regardless of where they live.
For communities, the renovated facilities represent far more than upgraded infrastructure. They are expected to become safe spaces where young people can discover their talents, develop practical skills, connect with mentors and transform innovative ideas into sustainable livelihoods. By bringing services closer to communities, ENYC is also strengthening collaboration between government, development partners and local stakeholders in addressing youth unemployment and promoting inclusive economic participation.
As scaffolding gradually gives way to fully operational centres, anticipation continues to grow among young people eager to make use of the new facilities. The renovations send a powerful message that investing in youth is not only about building structures—it is about building confidence, nurturing innovation and creating pathways for the next generation of leaders, entrepreneurs and changemakers.
#ENYC #YouthDevelopment #EmpoweringYouth #LeavingNoYoungPersonBehind
