Minister for Tinkhundla Administration and Development Sikhumbuzo Dlamini welcomed the initiative, saying empowering young people at grassroots level would also strengthen communities.
“Grassroots youth empowerment directly strengthens local governance and community development,” Dlamini said.
He urged traditional leaders across all Tinkhundla centres to actively support the mobilisation of eligible young people and facilitate the implementation of EYEOP within their respective communities. 
The deliberate allocation of opportunities to women and young people with disabilities is expected to make the programme more inclusive by ensuring that groups that often encounter barriers to economic participation are not left behind.
For young women, who account for at least half of the targeted beneficiaries, the project could provide access to skills, entrepreneurship support, apprenticeships and employment opportunities.
Similarly, the five per cent target for young people with disabilities is intended to increase their participation in skills development, entrepreneurship and employment.
Moreover, as EYEOP moves from consultation to implementation, traditional authorities will be expected to assist with community entry, mobilisation and identification of eligible beneficiaries.
The project’s implementation will therefore depend on effective cooperation between communities, traditional leaders, Government departments and development partners.
