Khuluma Eswatini has announced plans to create a national data bank for recent graduates, a move expected to greatly cut the time and expenses companies spend searching for young professionals.
The announcement was made on Friday by Khuluma Eswatini Chairman, Mandla Luphondvo, during a packed GradConnect and Business Seminar at Southern African Nazarene University (SANU). The seminar was opened by Vice Chancellor Dr. Faith Mlotsa-Mngomezulu, who described the gathering as a purposeful step toward equipping students for the modern world of work. She highlighted SANU’s commitment to career readiness.
“This seminar embodies preparation and purpose,” she said. “The world of work is shifting rapidly, and employers demand graduates who are agile, innovative, and ethical.”
Luphondvo said the data bank will act as a centralized, always-available talent pool that businesses can access whenever they need interns, data collectors, project teams, or short-term research assistants. He explained that the idea was inspired by the recurring challenge companies face when they urgently need young professionals but have difficulty finding suitable candidates quickly.
“A company may need 20 data collectors within two weeks, but they don’t know where to find them. This is the challenge we want to solve,” he said. “We are creating a data bank that companies can access to quickly, efficiently, and without extra burden to the graduates find the talent they need.”
The initiative aligns with Khuluma Eswatini’s broader mission of making the school-to-work transition easier for young people amid persistently high unemployment rates. According to Luphondvo, youth unemployment must be seen as “a snake in the house,” an urgent threat that cannot be overlooked.
“We can either kill the snake, find someone who can, or waste time blaming the landlord,” he said. “Blaming the government will not change the fact. We must devise solutions together.”
Founded in March this year, Khuluma Eswatini positions itself as a bridge between higher education and industry, helping graduates transition from school to work. Despite being a new organization, it has already launched the Khuluma App, a data-efficient platform that connects young jobseekers to opportunities while using minimal mobile data.
The new data bank is one of several tools the organization is using to help graduates improve their employability while making sure companies have access to the skills they need. It will support government agencies, development partners, and private-sector employers, allowing them to quickly identify skilled graduates across various fields.
The graduate data bank also strengthens Khuluma Eswatini’s role as a national connector between higher education institutions and the labour market. The organization plans to boost its campus outreach efforts in 2026 following positive interactions with institutions such as William Pitcher College, Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, Gwamile Vocational Training Centre, MITC, and others. SANU, however, was praised for providing “the most amazing reception.”
Khuluma Eswatini also offers paid services, such as CV and portfolio development, interview coaching, and customized short courses. Recently, the organization conducted a tailored public relations refresher course for a major telecommunications firm.
Beyond graduate employment, Khuluma Eswatini seeks to support entrepreneurs with branding, marketing, and communication services that Luphondvo believes are essential for growth.