Manzini – Macmillan Education Eswatini has urged young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) as a response to the country’s growing youth unemployment and skills gap.
Speaking at the National STEM Expo, held this week in Manzini, Marketing Manager Mbuso Sacolo addressed learners, teachers and education officials, describing the event as a glimpse into the country’s future and a call to action.
“Our unemployment rate is at 34.4%, and youth aged 15 to 24 face a rate of 56%,” said Sacolo. “But these challenges present opportunities. The world is shifting, and careers in data science, renewable energy, engineering and software development are rising—but Eswatini lacks the people trained to fill them.”
Sacolo urged learners to take STEM seriously and explore subjects not only through the classroom but also through reading. “Pick up a book—not because you’re told to, but because it could hold your future,” he said.
Teachers were also praised for their role in building not just knowledge but resilience and purpose, despite working under difficult conditions. Education inspectors and curriculum developers were acknowledged for their leadership in shaping the country’s STEM agenda.
Sacolo said Macmillan will continue publishing high-quality, locally relevant STEM learning materials and will support schools in promoting science literacy and digital skills.
“We’re not just publishers. We are partners in education,” he said. “Today’s learners need resources that reflect the real world and inspire curiosity.”
The STEM Expo, which featured student science projects and interactive displays, also included awards for top-performing participants. Macmillan encouraged schools to continue using its books, describing them as tools built not only to meet curriculum requirements but to prepare learners for a fast-changing world.
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