By Pearl Matibe

WASHINGTON: Young people in eSwatini feel the US Government is not doing enough to assist them state freedom. 

On 17 November 2021, The United States Government, The Walt Disney, WildlifeDirect, and National Geographic Kids Africa partners with local partners in Kenya, launching a first-of-its-kind initiative supporting, “African filmmakers and conservationists in telling stories.” And, “African stories in Africa,” while combating climate change.

While it sounds like a good idea,President of the Swaziland National Union of Students (SNUS), Colani Khulekani Maseko expressed local Swazi views of young people in the country, when reached for comment.

“Anything that has to do with conserving the culture and the ecosystem is not something that we were thinking about. Because, right now, I can tell you that the young people are languishing in poverty.”said when speaking to this Swaziland News.

At its launch, U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken said the U.S. is supporting the venture with “The Walt Disney Company to amplify African voices to inspire future generations to address climate change.” 

He explained: “As you’ve heard, it’s a lot of things–a TV series, a digital platform, and an outreach program–and I think we all hope that it will inspire and empower kids to help protect the world around them.”

But Colani Maseko, the Student Union President in eSwatini emphasized to them as young people, freedom remained a priority.

“We would have looked forward more to an initiative that would work with us to dialogue with government, because we feel that the Americans are not doing enough in that regard,” he said.

“What is important to the young people of Swaziland is, the system of education, it has totally collapsed as I speak to you.”

Secondly, “The health sector, as I speak to you, there is no food in the hospitals. There are no drugs. On arrival at any hospital, the best nurses can do is write prescriptions. And “tell you to go to the pharmacy and buy this medication. The main concern of the young population of the country is that they live in extreme poverty. They cannot afford the drugs in the pharmacies.”

Thirdly, “Unemployment. Young people are depressed. They are taking their lives and turning to prostitution. Because you know that once you graduate, you will never be employed unless you are connected to the royal family. The biggest pandemic we have in Swaziland right now, is the pandemic of beyond the pandemic of COVID-19, it’s the pandemic of unemployment. People who are employed were appointed by the King. Yet, young people are the majority.”