By Ayanda Dlamini
The transformative power of collaboration and community upliftment was on full display at the MTN Bushfire Beneficiaries Handover Ceremony at the iconic House on Fire in Malkerns.
The event marked another milestone in the long-standing partnership between MTN Bushfire and Young Heroes, reaffirming a shared commitment to empowering vulnerable youth and children through education and skills development.
During the ceremony, MTN Bushfire presented a cheque for E194,355 to Young Heroes, underscoring its ongoing support for initiatives that promote self-reliance, employability, and long-term resilience among young people in the Lobamba Lomdzala community and beyond.
The handover brought together key stakeholders, including House on Fire Director Jiggs Thorne; MTN Eswatini Interim CEO Jerry J. Soko; Young Heroes Executive Director Khulekani Magongo; Head of Programme Zwakile Dlamini; Lobamba Lomdzala MP Marwick Khumalo; community representatives; and programme beneficiaries.
Under the 2025 MTN Bushfire Support, 25 vulnerable young people aged 19 to 29 were assisted in accessing the Skills Training and Empowerment Programme (STEP). Of these beneficiaries, 15 were female and 10 male, underscoring a deliberate focus on gender inclusion.
The group comprised three double orphans, 14 single orphans, and eight other vulnerable youth. Through strategic partnerships with vocational training institutions, beneficiaries were enrolled in practical, market-relevant courses to enhance their employability and entrepreneurial skills.
This included carpentry, catering, computer programming, electrical wiring, fashion design, makeup and nail technology, motor mechanics, air conditioning and refrigeration, plumbing, and welding.
To date, two beneficiaries have successfully graduated in carpentry and electrical wiring, marking an encouraging milestone in their journey towards economic independence.
Young Heroes representatives noted that beneficiaries are identified at the household level through a transparent application and screening process, ensuring that support reaches those most in need. Youth are encouraged to enroll in institutions near their residences to reduce access barriers, minimize costs, and improve completion rates.
Looking ahead, the 2026 MTN Bushfire Fund will place a strong emphasis on educational support for vulnerable children. Building on years of impactful interventions, the Young Heroes Education Programme has supported hundreds of learners across Eswatini.
In 2024 alone, 245 children received school uniforms, and 106 received assistance with school fees. Despite funding constraints in 2025, the programme continued to support 28 learners.
In 2026, the initiative aims to support 60 vulnerable children with school fees, with a focus on orphans and other vulnerable children in Lobamba Lomdzala who are at risk of dropping out of school.
The programme will incorporate block grant support, traditional education assistance, education progression tracking, and study clubs designed to improve academic performance, confidence, and retention.
Representing the Lobamba Lomdzala community, leaders expressed heartfelt appreciation to MTN and House on Fire for their tireless contributions.
They pledged to strengthen local security efforts, particularly during major events such as the Bushfire Festival and Luju Festival, to safeguard these platforms, which provide social and economic value to the community.
Festival Director Jiggs Thorne emphasised the importance of giving back, noting that initiatives such as MTN Bushfire, Gone Rural, Vukani Nomake, the Tractor Parade, and the Luju Festival have collectively raised over E600,000 annually for social impact projects.
Closing the ceremony, MTN Eswatini lauded Bushfire for being more than a music and lifestyle festival, describing it as a powerful platform for far-reaching social change.
The partners expressed optimism for an even more impactful 2026, aligned with the enduring Bushfire call to action: “Bring Your Fire.”