MBABANE – A total of 52 young graduates have been placed in 17 organisations across the country under the 2025 Eswatini Youth Empowerment Programme (EYEP), a six-month paid internship initiative supported by the UNDP and funded by the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development.
The interns, 30 of them women and 22 men, were selected from over 5,000 applicants through an AI-powered recruitment system that matched their academic backgrounds to the needs of the host institutions. The deployment starts on 1 July 2025.
This intake follows the 2023/24 programme, where 250 interns were placed and half secured full-time employment after the internship.
Ahead of the placement, the selected graduates participated in a three-day orientation held from 23 to 25 June. The training focused on work readiness, mental health, entrepreneurship, stakeholder relations, sexual exploitation prevention, and environmental and social safeguards.
Among the interns is Anna Mathabela, a law graduate from the University of Eswatini, who will be joining the Central Bank. “I grew up in an orphanage and my long-term goal is to help people from disadvantaged situations,” she said. “This internship will allow me to gain the skills and experience I need to pursue that goal.”
Mthokozisi Masango, who studied Computer Science and Big Data at Wits University, has been placed at First National Bank. “I hope this internship will help me narrow my focus because I’ve acquired broad skills and knowledge,” he said.
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Nessie Golakai-Gould addressed the interns at the end of the training, urging them to make the most of the opportunity. She thanked Catalyze Eswatini for facilitating the training and commended all host institutions for their partnership.
Host organisations and placements include:
- Central Bank of Eswatini (20)
- First National Bank (6)
- Parliament of Eswatini (4)
- NAMBOARD (3)
- Eswatini National Youth Council (3)
- Big Game Parks (2)
- Nkonyeni Lodge and Golf Estate (2)
- AMICAALL (2)
- Eswatini National Trust Commission (2)
- Youth Enterprise Revolving Fund (2)
- FESBC, Waterford College, Auditor General, Ministry of ICT, and Ministry of Commerce (1 each).
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