13 March 2019

The Youth Enterprise Revolving Fund (YERF) has announced 49 young EmaSwati as the first recipients of business start up loans.

This announcement was made by YERF CEO Bhekizwe Maziya during a press conference held at the company's headquarters earlier today which was also attended by the Honourable Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Harries Bulunga.

According to Maziya, the 49 loans total up to about E2.8 million covering different sectors of business, including retail, manufacturing and construction. It was also announced that this first batch would create at least 120 new employments. A total of 269 applications were received during the call for applications which opened in August 2018 and closed in September of the same year.

Making his remarks, the Honourable Minister congratulated the youth recipients.

"We urge today’s successful young people to work together with both the YERF and IDCE as they begin this journey. It is government’s sincere desire to see all these projects succeed and this is why YERF will be constantly monitoring all these businesses. We also remind our young people that these are loans and thus they have to be paid back to ensure that many other future generations of EmaSwati benefit from the fund," Bulunga said.

YERF Board Chairperson Siboniso Mdluli further announced that they would start welcoming second batch applications from the 1st of April 2019.

 

Regional breakdown of approved loans:

Manzini: 22

Hhohho: 12

Shiselweni: 8

Lubombo: 7

Breakdown by sector:

Services: 18

Agribusiness: 14

Retail: 5

Manufacturing: 8

Construction: 4

Breakdown by entity:

Sole Trader: 26

Company: 22

Cooperative: 1

Breakdown by gender:

Females: 17

Males: 33

The Swaziland National Council of Arts and Culture, is an administrative organization, under the Ministry of Sports Culture and Youth Affairs, with delegated powers, to Preserve, Promote and Co-Ordinate all matters of Arts and Culture, in the Kingdom, of Swaziland, supervised by the Directorate Office under the Ministry.

Location and professional Services

•    The Swaziland National Council of Arts and Culture offices are housed under the Mall, office suite s211-213 second floor, Nkoseluhlaza street.
•    Council Bankers are the Standard Bank Chartered, Stanlib and African Alliance.
•    Council Accountants- Financial Investments and Professional Services( FIPS)
•    Council Auditors are Price Water House Coopers
•    Insurance Brokers are Imphilo Yami Insurance Brokers
•    Legal Advisors- Mdladla & Associates Attorneys

The Council has as members, the different art codes under its umbrella, specializing in the different art codes, namely:

•    The Performing Arts( Music, Theatre, Dance& Beauty Pageants)
•    Visual Arts      ( Fine Arts, Craft, film & Television)
•    Literary Arts ( Book Writing and Publication)

Council’s Management

The Council currently has a six member staff, with 4 departments: Namely
Administration, Development, Accounts and Marketing.

The Council’s Controlling Officer is the Chief Executive Officer, aided by the support staff and the Executive Board’s sub-committees, namely: Personnel, Development and Finance committees.  The Chief Executive Officer reports to the Executive Board, who in-turn reports to the Ministry of Sports Culture and Youth Affairs through the Office of the Director of Culture.

The current Members of the Council are:

1.    The Association of Swaziland Theatre Groups ( ASTG)
2.    Association of Christian Artists of Swaziland ( ACASWA)
3.    Swaziland Arts and Music Association ( SWAMA)
4.    Independent Producers Association( IPAS)
5.    Imigidvo Yesintfu KaNgwane
6.    Swaziland National Umbholoho Association (SNUA)
7.    Swaziland Traditional Instruments Players Music Association ( STIMA)
8.    Swaziland Schools Culture Association (SSCA)
9.    Swaziland Beauty Pageant Association ( SBPA)
10.    Swaziland Visual Arts Network ( VANS)
11.    Umdlandla Writers and Authors Association)
12.    Beading Association
13.    Pottery Association
14.    Craft Association
15.    Sculptures
16.    Painters
17.    Designers
18.    Weavers

How to become a member

•    SNCAC endorses its recognition of a national arts and culture association if on applying submits all the required information namely
•    Proof of registration
•    Copy of constitution
•    Minutes of inaugural meetings
•    Proof of existence of an office
•    List of the Association’s membership

Affiliates submit their proposals for funding to the Council quarterly, in March, June, September & December annually.

Funding


•    In 1999 the Council received its first subvention from Government
•    The Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs is currently, the sole benefactor
•    Before the Government financial year begins, SNCAC submits its annual budget
•    It is then put into the long list of annual commitments, deliberated upon and subsequently approved in Parliament.

Director of Arts & Culture
Phinda W. Nkosi
P. O. Box 4843
Mbabane
H100
Direct line: 2404 5214
Fax line: 2404 1333
Cell number: 7602 4414

The Youth Enterprise Fund:

In an effort to contribute to the reduction of Youth Unemployment in the country, the Government of Swaziland established the Youth Enterprise Fund in February 2008 under the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs. The Youth Enterprise Fund is a business support mechanism established for youth between the ages of 18 – 35years aimed at contributing to the reduction of youth unemployment through the provision of business capital for qualifying individuals, associations and companies.
It has been established through the Finance and Audit Act, 1967, Act no: 18 0f 1967. The Youth Enterprise Fund Regulations, 2009 provide guidance on how the Fund should be established and administered. It is a government parastatal classified under Category A of the Public Enterprise Act. It is administered by a multi-sectoral Board of Directors. Its day to day business is run by a secretariat comprising of 3 office bearers.
The loan applications are assessed by an intermediary institution upon receiving the forms from the secretariat and presented to the Board of Directors for approval.

The Youth Enterprise Fund aims to curb Youth unemployment through achieving the following objectives:

  • Empowering the youth to engage in economic and commercial enterprise through the initiation and ownership of small and large businesses in different spheres.
  • Empowering the youth to be self employed and to create wealth through the employment of others
  • Facilitating the provision of skills development for loan recipients and youth at Tinkhundla centers
  • Exposing the youth to business environments through internship opportunities
  • Providing mentorship to youth owned enterprise
  • Providing seed capital without the need for collateral to the youth
  • Financing the growth of existing youth enterprises
  • Facilitating the establishment of national youth entrepreneurship award schemes


Loan Specifications


i. Individuals - E20 000 ($2857.00)
ii. Companies with three Directors    -  E50 000 ($7132.00)
iii. Associations with up to 10 members    -  E100 000($14285.00)

The Fund is disbursed in Phases. In phase 1, 499 young people received loans in 2010 amounting to E5 800 000 ($828 571.00)

Phase 11 of the applications is in progress.

Application Process

  • Youth collect forms from Tinkhundla
  • Youth Return Completed Forms to Tinkhundla
  • YEF collects Applications from Tinkhundla
  • YEF office records applications, and send to Intermediary
  • Intermediary, assesses, shortlists applications and recommends to Board for approval
  • Applications returned to intermediary with board’s approval/ratification
  • Youths are advised through letters of approval issued by intermediary
  • YEF office facilitates distribution of approval letters to Inkhundla
  • Disbursement by intermediary
  • Intermediary monitors and reports to board on performance monthly.


Areas of Focus for the Next Four Years


i.    Resource Mobilisation
ii.    Entrepreneurial Skills Development
iii.    Development and Strengthening of the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework
iv.    Decentralisation of the Youth Enterprise Services
v.    Lobbying for the Recognition of Small and Medium Enterprises by Government and other developed companies.
All the above areas of focus will form basis of the YEF strategic plan which will be developed in June 2011.

The aim of this department is ensure that all citizens are provided with opportunities to be involved in sports and recreation at all levels in order to realize their full potential and improve their quality of life.

VISION

“Creating pride, developing the nation through sport – Shukuma Swaziland”


POLICY STATEMENT

The sport and recreation policy provides a framework for the development of an active, healthy and productive society, as well as achieving sporting excellence in line with National Vision 2022, National Development Strategy and the Millenium Development Goals.

The policy also recognizes that sport actively educates young people about the importance of key values such as honesty, fair play, respect for self and others, pride in the nation and adherence to rules.

The policy further acknowledges that sport is essential to human development and social integration.  Sport also contributes significantly to economic development through manufacturing of sports goods, tourism, job creation, sports events, sports related services and broadcast and media.

PRINCIPLES UNDERPINNING THE POLICY

1. Use sport and recreation to advance and achieve National Vision 2022, National Development Strategy and the Millenium Development Goals
11. Promote the involvement of citizens in physical activity throughout one’s life.
111. Ensure the integration of marginalized communities and groups in sport and recreation activities.
1V. Have an efficient and effective system of talent identification and development.
V. Have a high performance management system and a credible reward system for elite performers’ recognition in sport.
V1. Ensure good governance, professionalization and commercialization.  Facilitate the availability of relevant and appropriate infrastructure, funding, and other resources for participation in sport and recreation activities by citizens.
V11. Facilitate and regulate the development and growth of the sports industry including careers.
V111. Improve the country’s profile through hosting of international events and activities.

POLICY DIRECTIVES

1. Governance of sport in Swaziland
The Ministry of Sport, Culture and Youth Affairs recognizes that sport or recreation is an enterprise practiced by people either as individuals or group of individuals or as part of a team, of their free will.  Consequently, the Ministry will respect the autonomy of sports and recreation associations in conducting their affairs.  In bringing  this policy to life, the Ministry will promote the following matters:
a. Establish regulations to govern the management, organization and structure of sport in Swaziland.
b. Encourage parliament to pass legislation that will provide for the establishment, promotion, growth and standardization of the sport and leisure industry.
c. Promote a culture and spirit of volunteerism amongst administrators, organizers, coaches and technical officials.
d. Promote the integration of the marginalized people in society to all sports and recreation activities and opportunities.

OBJECTIVES

  • Collaborate and advise the Swaziland National Sports Council on all matters relating to Sports and recreation
  • The ministry will be a national oversee of all issues related to sport in the country
  • Facilitate the provision of quality initial training and in-service training of teachers of physical education, sport and recreation
  • Strengthen departments of physical education and sport at University and other institutions of higher learning.

ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN BY THE DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS DURING

THE FIRST QUARTER REPORT

1. SPORTS POLICY

  • We have developed Draft Sports Policy with the help of a Consultant (Mbebe and Associates).
  • We held Stakeholders Meeting at the Football Assocication Technical Centre (F.A.T.C.) to have their input on the draft policy.

2. SPORTS DECENTRALIZATION

  • Met representatives from the four Regional Secretaries in Manzini Regional Secretary’s office to brief them about the decentralization of sports.
  • Made a follow up progress in the Shiselweni Region with the Regional Secretary.  They promised to call us when they have a meeting with the regional chiefs, so that we can brief them too. 
     

 

 

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