An aspiring bean farmer Melusi Phiri presents his business idea

As many of you may know, in present-day Eswatini among the youth there is an unemployment rate ranging from 40%-70% throughout the kingdom, something that has only been exacerbated by the covid pandemic. Whilst attending the classes, I have tried to do my best to research and present ideas that may be of relevance to my classmates, ideas centred around building a profitable and efficient startup. Below is a passage taken from the research I did for the class.

‘When you start a business it is important to look for potential investors. They can be useful for a number of reasons. Firstly, they will provide seed capital to start the business. Secondly, they assist in business planning for a startup. Thirdly, they are profit-oriented, hence they will ensure that capital is invested in the correct way and can be consulted with. There are a number of investors in Eswatini who offer such services. The Small Enterprises Development Company (SEDCO) is a Government supported organisation established in 1970 with the mandate to create, develop and promote Small, Micro & Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) throughout the Kingdom of Eswatini. This makes it one of the largest and most reputable investors. The Industrial Development Company Of Eswatini (IDCE) is another example of a well-known lender that offers agricultural, corporate and SME, Small and Medium enterprises, and loans.

SME loans are targeted and suitable for every sector of the economy for purposes of funding goods or services required by the business. An example of the terms for an SME loan from Industrial
Development Company of Eswatini are:
Minimum: E10 000 (Swazi Lilangeni)
Maximum: E1.5 million
Repayment Period: 3 – 5 years
Security: should be able to cover 100% of the total debt

Promoter’s Contribution: a minimum of 20% of the total project total cost

Although attracting investors is important for any startup, my research has not been restricted specifically to this in my time here. The topics in the past three weeks have ranged from the importance of networking to the standards for morally right and wrong conduct in business, such as the battle of legal vs ethical. A lot of my research centred around how to conduct and submit a coherent business plan, as this is what the majority of students here were most absorbed with, in the last few weeks. I managed to highlight different aspects of an effective business plan; such as the importance of primary and secondary research in a SWOT analysis, and all-encompassing competitor analysis.

Mr Mike Roach shares his experience and guidance with the young entrepreneurs

This is not to say that when conducting my research everything proceeded steadily 100% of the time. Although most of the time proceedings ran smoothly, the most notable obstacle I encountered was finding ways to keep the points that I was expressing relevant in the context of Eswatini. In order to help myself accomplish this, I found what helped me most was identifying examples of entrepreneurs who had succeeded themselves in the kingdom. Eswatini has a history of creating successful entrepreneurs itself, most notably the likes of Sanele Dlamini and Phiwa Nkambule. Sanele Dlamini established her clothing retail and beauty business, Flexy, from a need to create an economic future for herself; Despite graduating with a Bcom degree, she found that after university she couldn’t find reliable employment. Now she collects fashion pieces from all around the world and sells them in Eswatini and a few surrounding countries such as Mozambique and South Africa. On the other hand, Phiwa Nkambule is a technology entrepreneur and internet activist best known for co-founding Riovic and leading it as its CEO. He previously founded Cybatar and sat on the board of the Royal Science and Technology Park in Eswatini. In June 2018, Phiwa was named in the Forbes Africa 30 under 30 list of most promising entrepreneurs in the technology category, and in October 2018 named in Destiny Man’s Power of 40 lists, a list of 40 trailblazers under the age of 40.

The Honorable British High Commissioner was pleased with the business ideas shared on the day.

Having already heard the ideas behind the businesses here, I feel assured that some definitely have the facilities to become successful in the future, following in the steps of these two. Ideas ranged from selling electrical services to exporting poultry abroad as far as the UAE as well as developing a mobile system where patients are more easily able to track their daily symptoms; thus grossly helping medical professionals in diagnosing ailments quicker and supplying cures more efficiently. What has become clear in my short stint is that this is a deeply resourceful group of young adults who definitely want to ameliorate their future, and I have felt fortunate to learn from them and try to help them in any way I can.

Nonetheless, this summary wouldn’t be complete without me mentioning one of the highlights of the past 3 weeks, having the opportunity to have Mr Kim Roques, Mr Mike Roach and the honourable British High Commissioner, Mr Simon Boyden share their experience and guidance they had for the young entrepreneurs. I honestly believe that their words struck a chord with the young adults in the group and that they will heed their advice in the near future. I would not be surprised that if I was to return in 5 years’ time, I would see many of these businesses prospering with the effort having been put in.

Written by Pama Alexander, Microfinance intern 

With the school closure, children have been left with no choice but to stay home and only visit the NCPS daily to get meals not only for themselves but also for other family members. Without a word being said, their eyes speak nothing but appreciation for the meal, despite that the menu hardly changes as this is the only meal received per day for most of them.

Our NCP children receiving a well-balanced meal.

The organization has also not been spared from the effects of COVID-19, as more than 50% of the staff members had to be laid off due to lack of funding to sustain their employment. At least the much- needed hunger relief project has grown dramatically and is getting food to those who need it most. Although the sports program continues, with the tragic loss of Menzi Masina it has been a challenge to pick up where he left off.

The late sports development coordinator Menzi with NCP children

Activities have also been adjusted to meet the covid-19 requirements. While doing ad-hoc visits in the various communities, one cannot help but realize how hard these vulnerable communities have been hit.

All Out Africa staff making food deliveries to the affected families

Women are seen selling wares with no one to buy since most people lost jobs and that no tourists are visiting the country. This activity also puts these women at risk of contracting Coronavirus and as such, the NCP is informed daily by a community member that has unfortunately been lost to COVID-19 and All Out Africa is constantly engaged on how the children who are left with no parents can be assisted. The media has been left with nothing much to report on except for the increased cases of gender-based violence, child labour, teenage pregnancy, and malnutrition. This has come to expose the role played by schools and teachers in society, it helps society make informed decisions.

NCP Teacher handing over pencils.

Investing in education is the best response to the uncertainty that will grip our world for many months or perhaps years to come. We are hopeful of schools opening up again soon and our NCPs becoming fully operational again. We greatly look forward to when volunteers can once again travel to assist in these projects.

To apply for this project, or talk about how you can get involved, please email bookings@alloutafrica.com

We asked our previous volunteer why volunteering is important.

The experience as a volunteer had a great impact on my life. It gave my way of looking at the world more perspective and I got to know myself better. I’m very grateful for this journey and getting to meet all of this lovely people with such big hearts. – Hanne Van Doren, Belgium

My time in Eswatini was incredibly impactful, as I really loved volunteering in this beautiful country and meeting so many friendly people along the way. Volunteering here proved that the smallest of actions can make a huge difference in somebody’s day or even later on in their lives, and this was really fulfilling. Knowing that we helped in teaching children to swim as well, and helped with children in primary schools doing their exams, is such a wonderful thing. My work here reminded me of how important it is to take time out of our day to day lives so that we can volunteer and give back to others, and it has made me a lot more appreciative and a lot more willing to step out of my comfort zone. Thank you Eswatini! – Nina Marquand-Karp, Sydney Australia

Where are you from?

My name is Noor, I am eighteen years old and am from Haarlem, the Netherlands.

What project did you sign up for?

I signed up for the childcare/teaching program.

What do you do for a living?

After graduating last May I started travelling. Whenever I am home I work in hospitality, as a nanny and as a tutor.

What does volunteering mean to you?

Volunteering to me means making a change, however big or small, short-term or long-term. It is all about goals and expectations. Going into this with an open mind showed me how much of a difference volunteering can actually make. From a smile or laughter to breakthroughs in someone’s academic progress. Seeing how far the children that are now in high school have come, makes the small struggles with the infants at the NCP’s completely worth it.

Reason for choosing All Out Africa?

All Out Africa, specifically, offers volunteers the perfect combination in exploring a country (or multiple), travelling and volunteering amongst wonderful staff who offer guidance and advice. All Out Africa helps people that are most vulnerable in a way that is most effective, making it worth your while as a volunteer.

Your experience as a volunteer, did it had any positive impact on your life?

I obviously knew getting into this I would be surrounded by people who do things differently than I am used to. Learning about this new culture and volunteering in a community with such different habits gave me a better understanding of what it means to be a volunteer and what it means to be born in the place you are. It did not only teach me how fortunate I am but also how much can be done with so little. Volunteering has a positive impact, not only for the people you work with, but also going onwards. It gives a fresh perspective.

Click here if you would like to know more about our Childcare (Eswatini)

Where are you from?

Hi, my name is Lisa and I’m from the Netherlands.

What project did you sign up for?

I signed up for the Kruger to Coast (6 weeks). While I was in Eswatini I did the childcare project, to help at the local NCPs. I helped the teachers out and played with the children. Which they really liked (me too) ????.  While I was there, there was a school holiday. So for a week, I made drawings and posters, that they could hang at the new NCP’s that they were building.

What do you do for a living?

Well, I had a gap year. And in my gap year, I first worked at a restaurant. But most of the time I worked with elderly people with Alzheimer. I cooked for them, spent time with them and just made their day a lot better. Now I am going to study Tourism Management.

What does volunteering mean to you?

Volunteering means for me that I can help (or try to help) people who need it. It is not for my own benefit, but for others. It also means stepping out of my comfort zone by meeting new people, travelling alone to the other side of the world, doing things I’ve never done before and overcoming my fears. My volunteering experience was very valuable to me and I will never forget it. It is really worth it.

Reason for choosing All Out Africa?

At first, I didn’t even know I would be travelling with All Out Africa. Because I booked the journey at their Dutch partner organization (Activity International). Afterwards, I am so happy that I travelled with All Out Africa because the staff was kind and very helpful. The location was beautiful and most of the things were well organized.

Your experience as a volunteer, did it had any positive impact on your life?

Yes, it really had a positive impact on my life. I think I appreciate more what I have here in the Netherlands. I was able to help people, I really want to continue that in the future. I also want to inspire other people to do volunteer work, because it is so valuable. The children, people and the overall experience made me see what is really important in life.

Click here if you would like to know more about our Childcare (Eswatini)