BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
EZULWINI – Young people have been encouraged to harness their potential and actively contribute towards shaping Eswatini’s future as Government reaffirmed its commitment to placing youth at the centre of national development.
Speaking during the State of the Youth Report Validation Meeting held at Royal Villas on May 8,2026, Under Secretary in the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Mzwandile Mthethwa, representing Principal Secretary Prince Mlayeto Dlamini, said young people were not merely the future of the country, but active drivers of economic growth, innovation and social transformation.
He said the future of Eswatini depended on how effectively the country invested in, empowered and created opportunities for young people.
“As Government, we remain committed to ensuring that young people are included in national dialogue, policy formulation and implementation processes,” he said.
The validation meeting brought together youth representatives from across the country’s four regions, Government officials, development partners, civil society organisations and stakeholders working in the youth development sector.
The State of the Youth Report highlights both the challenges and opportunities facing young people in Eswatini. According to the report, 36.7 per cent of young people are not in employment, education or training, while youth unemployment remains particularly high in the Manzini Region.
The report also revealed that nearly 60 000 young people are living with HIV, while 75 per cent of suicide incidence cases occur among men. Young people aged between 15 and 24 were also identified among the country’s active alcohol users, while five per cent of youth are living with disabilities.
Despite these challenges, the report noted encouraging progress among young people, including literacy levels remaining above 94 per cent among both young men and women.
He said the report demonstrated that young people continued to innovate, lead and positively shape communities across the country.
He further commended the growing collaboration between Government, the private sector, civil society organisations and development partners in addressing youth challenges and expanding opportunities for young people.
The Under Secretary said the validation process was important because it ensured that the lived realities, experiences and aspirations of young people were reflected in policies and programmes.
“Policies and programmes become more effective and impactful when they are informed directly by the people they are intended to serve,” he said.
He encouraged participants to engage openly and constructively during the validation process to strengthen the credibility and relevance of the final report.
The Under Secretary also reaffirmed Government’s commitment to ensuring that the findings and recommendations of the report translated into practical action and measurable impact for young people across Eswatini.
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