Mbabane: Committed. This word best articulates what the goal of the Youth Fund is if the words of the Minister of Sports, Culture, and Youth Affairs Harries ‘Madze’ Bulunga are anything to go by.
This morning, the politician and Mbabane East Member of Parliament (MP) said the Youth Fund stands ready to support ‘any LiSwati youth-owned, legal and viable business across any sector’ and has encouraged youth entrepreneurs in fashion design and modeling to apply for funding. Minister Bulunga was been speaking at a fashion design event hosted by the youth-owned Rhythm Family, an advertising modeling agency.
Minister Bulunga said, “As a Ministry and indeed His Majesty’s Government as a whole, we remain committed to supporting our young people in innovation and permeating industries across a wide spectrum. This is our message to young people here and beyond, that Government, through the Fund, stands ready to support all viable youth business ideas across all sectors. I, therefore, encourage you as young people to continue to be innovative and daring in your approaches to business and then come to the Fund with well-presented proposals and plans. This Fund is yours and it is at your service.”
The Youth Fund Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bhekizwe Maziya added, “The involvement of Rhythm Family in promoting fashion designers is an opportunity to promote youth fashion designers and help them access funding as well as markets for their businesses. This partnership is strengthening this industry which is not common amongst young entrepreneurs.”
Rhythm Family Director Linda Chester on the other hand said their purpose is to promote their models to be brand ambassadors for local corporates. He said many of their corporates use foreign models when they had local models to do this. “We have a lot of youth willing to make careers in modeling, please support us,” he said.
The event has been hosted with support from the Youth Fund with designers namely; Divine Confidential, Nombulelo Designs, Millennium Trends, Samke Designs, Sekul8, Raven, Space Muffin, and Aces Apparel showcasing their work.
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