For many young people, waiting for a job has become an unwelcome part of life after graduation.
That reality took centre stage on Friday when ‘Love Your Mind’ hosted a Young and Waiting talk, tackling the second edition of unemployment issues at the American Corner in Manzini. The event brought together young people, professionals and entrepreneurs for an honest conversation about unemployment, resilience and alternative paths to success.
The discussion featured guest speaker Ian Mhike from Zimbabwe, alongside Eswatini-based professionals and entrepreneurs, including Rejoice Ndzinisa and N Ndzimandze, who shared personal experiences and practical lessons on navigating life beyond traditional employment.
Opening the discussion, Ndzinisa thanked ‘Love Your Mind’ for creating a platform where young people could openly discuss unemployment and its impact.
She encouraged participants not to lose hope while waiting for employment opportunities and urged them to explore entrepreneurship and other income-generating activities.
Ndzinisa shared her own journey, explaining that despite currently serving as a commissioner with the Elections and Boundaries Commission, she has always believed in diversifying her income streams.
She recounted her experience in direct sales and explained why she eventually left the business due to health-related reactions to some of the products. However, she did not stop there.
“At home, I sell eggs, I keep village chickens and I also have cattle. I currently have six cows and I say ‘only’ deliberately,” she said.
Her message was clear; employment should not be the only source of income and young people should be willing to explore opportunities around them.
Adding to the discussion, Ndzimandze encouraged attendees to use their qualifications creatively and not limit themselves to waiting for formal employment.
She shared how she pursued beauty studies after marriage before later venturing into baking, a business she has successfully operated since 2008.
Meanwhile, Mhike challenged attendees to rethink their perception of employment and innovation in a rapidly changing global economy.
Expressing appreciation for the invitation, he encouraged young people to look beyond conventional employment models and learn from successful initiatives already operating elsewhere.
“Why do you think Eswatini is the only place where opportunities exist? Nothing is new under the sun,” he said, referencing Ecclesiastes 1:9. Mhike argued that innovation does not always require reinventing the wheel. Instead, he said young people should identify successful ideas from other countries and adapt them to their local environments.
Using the example of a recently established initiative, Eswatini Young Women in Business, Arts and Culture, he explained how the concept was inspired by a similar programme in Zimbabwe.
“All that was needed was identifying someone who had already seen it work and learning how to do it.”
Throughout the discussion, speakers highlighted the emotional and psychological challenges associated with prolonged unemployment while encouraging young people to remain proactive, resilient and open to alternative opportunities.
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