Mbabane: At least 1 000 people will benefit from MTN Eswatini, National Agricultural Marketing Board, and Swaziland Empowerment Limited’s strategic corporate social investment projects which have been launched virtual today.
Although MTN Eswatini will not be implementing its usual annual 21 Days of Y’ello Care campaign this year due to the restrictions linked to the prevention of the spread of Coronavirus, the company has partnered with NAMBoard and SEL to implement strategic corporate social investment projects to the value of E1.1 million.
In a video posted on the company’s official social media sites, MTN Chief Executive Officer Wandile Mtshali said the objective of the main objective of these projects is to stimulate economic activity, particularly among young people. This is because youth unemployment is massive challenge in the Kingdom of eSwatini, and may have been aggravated by COVID-19, which has some people losing jobs, which has affected their livelihoods and that of their families.
The projects which will be implemented from this month include; setting up three greenhouses and a mini factory at Lundzi and sinking boreholes for two schools.
Through these projects, MTN and partners seek to address youth unemployment by creating opportunities in the local economy, assist government with economic recovery initiatives through participation of youth in agriculture, and to provide training, mentorship, and market linkages to youth in agriculture.
Mtshali said the main project-green houses and agro-processing mini factory is anticipated to benefit 140 farmers and 20 youth farmers.
“Since these projects will be youth owned and youth run, they will work as a center for excellence for refining young people skills in agriculture, both in the production of vegetables and facilitating access to markets,” he said.
On the other hand, the sinking of boreholes in two schools is anticipated to benefit over 600 children.
“MTN remains committed to invest in communities within the Kingdom of Eswatini as a way of appreciating their loyalty and support of more than two decades,” said Mtshali.
He appreciated their partners; NAMBoard and SEL for their support in a time of crisis.
NAMBoard Chief Executive Officer Siphephiso Dlamini said they are excited to be in a partnership with MTN Eswatini, where they are embracing youth and digital technology.
“We will be engaging the youth in greenhouse in greenhouse tunnel projects, which is new technology under agriculture, embracing production under tunnels, and drip irrigation,” he said.
He said the most exciting part for them is that, they are embracing the youth and ushering them into the fourth generation technology.
“Most of the activities; irrigation, marketing, and the packaging will be processed and sourced through digital technology. We are looking forward to a project whereby the youth will exuberate vibrancy and demonstrate value that they play in the agriculture space and digital technology,” he said.
Swazi Empowerment Limited Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Chairman, Shaka Ndlangamandla, said they are also very excited to carry on with their usual partnership with MTN, despite the fact things will be done differently this year.
“Things will be done differently in the sense that we will not have big gatherings, instead we will stick to the COVID-19 Regulations. Have few people on the ground and make sure that we adhere to social distancing,” he said.
Alongside these initiatives, MTN Foundation Coordinator, Evidence Ntshalintshali, said they will be running a social media campaign to showcase projects of young people in agriculture who are making a difference in their communities.
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