By Zweli Martin Dlamini

The Inyatsi Construction R2million sponsorship towards the ongoing Council of Southern Africa Football Associations(COSAFA) under-20 Youth Championship is a very positive initiative that should be encouraged within the coporate sector.

It is very encouraging to note that such a huge amount of money was invested in the youth by supporting a soccer tournament, for a change, the money benefited Swazis and other countries regionally, not King Mswati.

On a business perspective, such sponsorships benefit even informal traders who are able to sell their products within the stadium.

In fact it creates an economic activity as even public transport owners are able to benefit indirectly by transporting people to watch these tournaments.

We have seen many companies pumping money to King Mswati during traditional events, perhaps one can remind these companies not to forget the people even in the rural areas.

What Inyatsi did with the R2million should be encouraged, perhaps we can have other companies sponsoring one football tournament for all the Tinkhundla Centres  with the finals being played at Somhlolo National Stadium.

It should be noted that with these sentiments, I am not declaring any support for the Tinkhundla system of governance but as a supporter of charity and development, I cannot politicize football being a sport that unites everyone regardless of political affiliation.

But in as much as we commend Inyatsi for this sponsorship, we will not stop appealing for support from other entities, University students are struggling without allowances these days.

As mentioned, the Inyatsi R2million sponsorship is more like an investment to the youth through soccer and we commend that because other young players might be signed by international soccer teams.

Even though we would disagree sometimes, Victor Gamedze, the then Chairman of the Premier League of Swaziland(PLS) once called me and said;

“You see Zweli, football is very influential and it impacts the economy in many ways. As the PLS Chairman, If I can decide to fixture Mbabane Swallows and Mbabane Highlanders to play at the Prince of Wales, that would mean more people will visit Mbabane. Before and after the game, those football fans will buy something to eat within the various supermarkets and restaurants. Actually, this means these supermarkets and restaurants will have to prepare more food because of that game”.

I didn’t know how soccer impacts the economy but Victor Gamedze lectured me through that 20 minutes phone call.

Now, companies must also understand the impact of supporting University students, they must just conduct a research within the institutions of higher learning, identify and support a brilliant student who is struggling.

That student, upon finishing his or her studies will come back and grow the economy through the acquired skills.

Companies know their courses of interest and as Government demonstrates reluctance to fulfilling social obligations, they must find ways to invest in education.

But this does not mean Government must be allowed to collect taxes and then shift the burden to companies, we need accountability of those taxes.