By Phumelele Mkhonta (Guest Writer)
There is a peculiar scene that unfolds in office corridors across Eswatini every weekday morning. A young professional walks in wearing her sharp blazer and a determined smile. ‘She’ greets her colleagues, turns on her computer, and opens the same spreadsheet she has been updating for the past three years. Her cursor blinks. Her motivation does not!
This young professional is neither lazy nor lacking in dreams. She might just be stuck. She is part of a growing number of young, educated professionals in Eswatini who feel like their careers have hit a quiet but stubborn wall. They have degrees, energy, and ambition, but find themselves in roles that don’t develop, in companies that don’t innovate, and in an economy that doesn’t offer enough room for their aspirations.
A Small Economy, Big Frustrations
Eswatini’s economy is small and centered around a few sectors—government, sugar, textiles, banking, and a modest services industry. The unemployment rate hovers around 33%, with youth unemployment estimated to be over 50%. Poverty remains persistent: nearly 58.9% of the population lives below the national poverty line. In a country where opportunities are limited and industries are slow to diversify, career mobility often resembles musical chairs—few seats and many players.
For many young professionals, the story begins with hope. They study hard, sometimes abroad, believing education is their ticket to a better life. But when they return home, reality hits harder than a network outage during a Teams meeting. The available jobs rarely match their qualifications or ambitions. The same faces hold leadership roles for decades. And promotions? They move more slowly than the Mbabane morning traffic. “I thought a degree would open doors,” says one 27-year-old marketing graduate (commenting anonymously). “But here, it feels like the doors are locked, and someone misplaced the keys.”
Toxic Work Cultures and Leadership Gaps
Part of the frustration stems from workplace culture. Many organizations in Eswatini still have strict hierarchies, leaving little space for creativity or advancement. Leadership often favors a command-and-control style, with little emphasis on mentorship or professional growth. It’s common to hear young employees describe environments where ideas are dismissed, innovation is suppressed, and loyalty is valued more than performance. In some offices, nepotism and favoritism are so deeply rooted that the “who you know” principle outweighs the “what you know.” The result? Bright minds are dulled by bureaucracy, and enthusiasm is replaced by quiet resignation.
The Mental Health Undercurrent
Behind the polished Instagram posts of graduation gowns and office selfies, there is often a quiet mental health story unfolding. Being stuck professionally can trigger a mix of stress, anxiety, and burnout. For many, the burden of family and societal expectations adds an extra layer. If you studied in South Africa, Europe, or Asia, you’re expected to “make it” quickly and visibly. Parents beam with pride at the airport, expecting that their child will soon become the family’s financial anchor. But when the reality is underemployment or stagnant growth, that pride can turn into silent pressure.
Therapists and career coaches in the region are increasingly seeing clients in their late 20s and early 30s struggling with depression linked to career dissatisfaction. “It’s not just about the job,” noted Felicia Goosen, a psychologist and wellness coach. “It’s about identity, self-worth, and the fear of disappointing the people who sacrificed for your education.” Goosen explains that millennials and Gen Z took their mental health more seriously than any other generation; hence, their dissatisfaction with their careers was more prominent, destabilizing the workforce. The Wellness Coach notes that a generational gap in workplaces sometimes creates apathy towards young professionals. “This causes the young professionals to resent their workplaces, and they feel life is passing them by. In this case, professionals must take account, forgive themselves, and be strategic before resigning. Everything is strategy,” explained the wellness coach.
The Returnee Reality Check
Many young professionals who have studied abroad talk about the “reverse culture shock” they feel when they return home. Overseas, they experience vibrant workplaces, mentorship programs, and clear career paths. At home, they face underfunded industries, resistance to change, and a cultural tendency to stick with “how things have always been done.” The disconnect between international exposure and local career realities can be discouraging. Some react by lowering their expectations, while others plan their next move. Talent retention becomes a national issue as the most talented individuals seek fulfillment elsewhere.
Coping and Reinvention
Yet, amid the frustration, there are signs of resilience. Some young professionals have decided that if the system won’t change for them, they will change their paths themselves. Take the rise of side hustles. Across Eswatini’s urban centers, you will find accountants running baking businesses after hours, engineers launching eco-startups, and journalists turning to digital content creation. These ventures are not just financial lifelines; they are outlets for creativity and sources of personal pride.
Others have taken bolder steps: quitting uninspiring jobs to retrain or switch to new industries. Career development experts say that adaptability is becoming the new currency of success. “The young professionals who thrive are those who stop waiting for the perfect job to appear,” says one HR consultant. “They create opportunities, even if it means starting small.” One of these trailblazers is Temnotfo Mvubu, a marketing strategist whose journey reflects both the frustrations and possibilities of Eswatini’s professional landscape. Interestingly, Temnotfo did not start in marketing at all; she studied architecture technology. Like many young professionals, she found herself working in a field far removed from her formal studies, a direct result of the mismatch between skills and local job opportunities.
Her journey into marketing began with a personal blog, a creative side project that unexpectedly caught her manager’s attention. That moment opened doors to content creation and social media work. Over the years, she strategically upskilled, embraced digital tools, and by 2024, fully transitioned into remote freelance marketing. “Yes, I have felt stuck before. Temnotfo’s personal success comes from intentional reinvention. She constantly expands her network, attends industry events, stays on top of marketing trends, and prioritizes her mental health. For her, local limitations are not walls; they are puzzles waiting for innovative solutions. Her story is both a testament and a roadmap: thriving in Eswatini’s constrained job market often requires courage, creativity, and a Wi-Fi connection.
The situation is not hopeless. However, it requires a rethink from both individuals and institutions. For organizations, this involves modernizing workplace cultures, creating spaces for young voices, and establishing true growth paths. For governments and policymakers, this means diversifying the economy, supporting innovation, and directly confronting structural barriers such as nepotism. For young professionals, it means recognizing that being stuck doesn’t have to be permanent. Sometimes, it’s the uncomfortable pause before reinvention. Back in her office, Nokwanda stares at her blinking cursor and takes a deep breath. Maybe tomorrow she’ll enroll in that online course. Or pitch that business idea. Or have an honest conversation with her manager. Being stuck is real. But so is the quiet power of choosing not to stay there.
Views From an Expert
Seasoned human capital practitioner, executive coach, and mentor Sharon Maziya shares her insights: First, the question of feeling stuck in one’s job or career is a very relevant and robust topic, one that many young professionals silently struggle with.
1. Acknowledge Your Feelings, It’s Okay to Feel Stuck
Before doing anything, pause and understand that feeling stuck is not failure; it’s feedback. It often shows that you’ve outgrown your current role, are misaligned with your values or passions, or are seeking meaning or direction. “Being stuck is not a dead end; it’s a signal that it’s time for a shift.”
2. Find the Root Cause
You can’t move ahead until you recognize what’s truly holding you back. Think about these questions:
• No Growth: Have I stopped learning or being challenged?
• Toxic Culture: Is the environment sapping my energy or confidence?
• Misalignment: Do my values or passions conflict with my job?
• Comfort Zone: Have I settled because it’s “safe”?
• Societal Pressure: Am I doing this for approval rather than purpose?
• Be brutally honest with yourself.
3. Reconnect With Your Purpose
Purpose drives perseverance. Ask yourself:
• What type of work energizes me?
• What problems do I want to address in the world?
• What skills or talents do I excel at naturally?
4. Create a Growth Strategy
• Once you notice the gap, begin constructing a bridge to reach your destination.
• Upskill: Enroll in short courses, participate in workshops, or earn professional certifications.
• Network: Surround yourself with people doing what you aspire to do.
• Find Mentors: Gain valuable insights from those who have navigated similar transitions.
• Volunteer or Freelance: Explore your interests in small, low-risk opportunities.
• Define Your Role: Sometimes you can reshape your current job to match better your goals (called job crafting).
5. Take Bold Action
• No progress occurs without discomfort.
• That could involve having honest conversations (with your boss, mentor, or yourself).
• Switching departments, industries, or even careers.
• Starting something new – a side hustle, a study program, or a passion project.
6. Manage Your Mindset
Feeling stuck often leads to self-doubt. Overcome it by:
• Practicing gratitude, focus on what’s working.
• Reframing failure as learning.
• Avoiding comparison, your journey is unique.
• Celebrating small wins along the way.
7. Redefine Your Success
Society often defines success in terms of a title or salary. Redefine it as: “Doing work that aligns with who I am and adds value to others.” When you shift from impressing others to impacting others, fulfillment follows naturally. “Your career is not a ladder, it’s a landscape. Sometimes you climb, sometimes you move sideways, and sometimes you pause. The key is to keep moving with purpose.”
Phumelele Mkhonta is an award-winning Environmental Journalist, popularly known as Green Girl.