The Mbabane Youth Grass Cutting Project, implemented by the Municipal Council of Mbabane and the Youth Enterprise Revolving Fund (YERF), has expanded its workforce to 34 young people, creating 22 additional jobs in four months. The initiative, which started in June and ran through September, combines municipal maintenance services with youth employment and enterprise development.
The project was designed to deliver benefits beyond grass cutting by creating employment and equipping young people with practical business skills. The council's Economic Development Officer, Winile Dlamini, said participants gained "practical work experience, entrepreneurship competencies and valuable business skills," positioning them to pursue further economic opportunities.
During the implementation period, the 12 participating youth enterprises and operators cleared more than 970 778 square metres of road reserves, public spaces and community areas across Mbabane. The project covered several locations, including Somhlolo Road, Sozisa Road, New Checkers Township, and Msunduza, among other areas.
Productivity increased during the implementation period, with August recording the highest output at 504 779 square metres cleared. The workforce stood at 28 operators and assistants that month before growing to 34 in September. The project provided training in basic business management, financial management, and occupational health and safety.
The training covered budgeting, record-keeping, financial accountability, tendering requirements, and safe equipment handling, equipping participants with knowledge relevant to operating businesses and competing for future contracts. Dlamini said loan repayments, which had experienced a somewhat difficult start, were now proceeding smoothly.
The initiative was made possible by a Memorandum of Understanding between the council and YERF to provide E480 000 in loans to 12 young entrepreneurs to establish landscaping businesses. The programme helped address unemployment while improving the city's appearance, demonstrating how municipal services could be linked to youth empowerment.
The project's success is seen in its expansion from an initial 12 operators to 34 with their assistants, creating 22 additional employment opportunities for local youth. The programme's impact extends beyond employment, as it also provided young people with the skills and knowledge needed to build sustainable enterprises.
Key points
- The Mbabane Youth Grass Cutting Project created 22 jobs in four months, growing its workforce to 34 youth with E480 000 in YERF loans.
- The project provided training in basic business management, financial management, and occupational health and safety to equip participants with knowledge relevant to operating businesses.
- The initiative covered several locations across Mbabane, clearing over 970 778 square metres of road reserves, public spaces, and community areas.
