EZULWINI – Seventeen young women have completed a six-month internship in the local construction sector, thanks to a partnership between the Eswatini Youth Empowerment Programme (EYEP) and the Construction Industry Council (CIC). The graduates were recognised yesterday during a ceremony held at Happy Valley Hotel.
Most of the interns worked as site engineer trainees, while others took up roles in quantity surveying and quality assurance. The initiative is part of a broader push to give young people – especially women – practical work experience in traditionally male-dominated industries.
Nomfundo Fakudze, one of the interns, said the programme had changed how she sees herself and what she’s capable of. “It’s more than just experience – it’s proof that women can thrive in construction too,” she said.
The programme is run by the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This latest cohort was placed in seven local construction firms, including the Municipal Council of Mbabane, which took in 38% of the interns, followed by Stefanutti Stocks and Mgcabho Construction at 19% each.
Speaking on behalf of the companies, Gail Groening from Stefanutti Stocks said the initiative gave young graduates a much-needed taste of real-world work. “It’s about giving them a foot in the door and preparing them for what’s out there,” she said.
Principal Secretary Thabsile Mlangeni, who stood in for Minister Dr Tambo Gina, said government remains committed to supporting youth development. She cited budget allocations of E1.2 billion for education, E150 million for technical training, and E60 million for the Youth Enterprise Revolving Fund as signs of that commitment.
UNDP’s Resident Representative Henrik Franklin urged other sectors to follow suit, proposing a national platform that would bring together government, academia, and industry to close the gap between education and employment.
Also in attendance was the Ministry of Public Works and Transport’s Under Secretary Nhlanhla Motsa, who thanked the participating companies for mentoring the interns and helping build the country’s future workforce.
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