GOVERNMENT PRESS STATEMENT
NO: 04/2012
His Excellency the Hon. Prime Minister Dr. Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini has met the Commonwealth Regional Director for Africa, James Odit who was on a three-day visit to the Kingdom.
Welcoming him to Hospital hill the Prime Minister said he was pleased that the Regional Director was in the country to familiarize himself with youth activities undertaken by the Kingdom, adding that Swaziland remains a committed member and a full participant in all Commonwealth activities since joining as a member in 1969.
He explained to the visiting Director that His Majesty King Mswati III has led the way in creating avenues for youth development including the Youth Enterprise Fund which has already benefited 665 young people across the country. He observed that His Majesty the King also spent a lot of time discussing issues of youth development in the Speech from the Throne this month.
The Prime Minister announced that Cabinet has appointed a sub-committee of six (6) Ministers to deal with issues of youth as they cut across many Ministries. The sub-committee consists of Ministers of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs; Commerce, Industry and Trade; Tinkhundla Administration and Development; Economic Planning and Development; Education and Agriculture.
Dr. Dlamini said Cabinet has also adopted a Youth Charter which is enshrined in the Youth Policy adopted by Cabinet in 2009. He added that the Youth Charter will soon be sent to Parliament for ratification.
In response the Regional Director said he was happy with the conducive environment created by the Swaziland Government toward youth development. He paid tribute to His Majesty King Mswati III for establishing the Youth Enterprise Fund that addresses the concerns of the majority of Swazi Citizens – the youth. Mr Odit said the Commonwealth will continue providing assistance to the Swazi youth especially in the form of training.
The Commonwealth has donated E800 000 to upscale the youth HIV/AIDS programme for in-school youth in the Kingdom. This will cover 65 schools.
Percy Simelane 16th February 2012