Sebenzile Dlamini
2022 IVLP Impact Award Project: Leveraging Technology for Gender Equity and Vulnerable Adolescents in Labour Market and EntrepreneurshipEswatini
Sebenzile Dlamini is the founder and director of Women in Trade and Development (WITAD), a non-profit organization in Eswatini. In 2015, she and her husband used their personal income to provide humanitarian aid to a household in Malindza, and then built a house for them with assistance and donations from the local community. It became clear to Sebenzile that poverty is a complex phenomenon that can only be eradicated through multiple, integrated interventions at the household, national and global levels. In 2020, she developed a curriculum on income generation, wealth creation and purposeful living. WITAD used this curriculum to train 45 adolescents through in-person and online training workshops in 2020 and 2021. In April 2022, WITAD trained 52 volunteers to assist the organization in building the capacity of Out-of-School Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) to create self-help projects and businesses and access education opportunities. Sebenzile previously served as the Head of the Incubator at the Royal Science and Technology Park; Chief Economist at Swaziland Competition Commission; Director of Trade at Business Eswatini; Senior Trade Policy Analyst at Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade and Economist at the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development. She holds a Master of Science in Business Economics, Finance and Banking from Portsmouth University, a Post-graduate Diploma in Management Practice (Trade Law Specialization) from the University of Cape Town, a Post-graduate Diploma in Competition Law from Kings College London, and a Certificate on Intellectual Property from the World Intellectual Property Organization.
IVLP Impact Award Project: Leveraging Technology for Gender Equity and Vulnerable Adolescents in Labor Market and Entrepreneurship
The project provided business training and education on reproductive health and rights for 385 out-of-school adolescent girls, including teen moms. The training included three days of face-to-face lessons combined with two months of online learning. Participants then received mentoring for two years. The project enhanced participants' future employability and ability to run viable businesses.
"Failing to draft a business plan delayed my dreams. While it's hard to predict the future, I sincerely believe that I'll be a very successful businesswoman one day. Thanks!" - Project Participant
IVLP Exchange Experience
Sebenzile participated in the IVLP Project Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Program, organized by the U.S. Department of State and American Councils for International Education, in partnership with World Trade Center Institute, WorldOrlando, Global Ties Detroit, Global Pittsburg, Global Ties Idaho, and Global Ties San Francisco.
Sebenzile's exchange experience led to the development of her IVLP Impact Award Project: "The IVLP was well-organized. I was inspired by the concerted efforts to strengthen the financial, legislative and practical support for STEM, innovation and entrepreneurship in the U.S. I was happy to see the growing emphasis on women-owned tech start-ups and the under-represented minority. I appreciate being an alumnus of a strong IVLP."
U.S. Communities Visited Virtually
San Francisco, CA; Washington, DC; Boise, ID; Detroit, MI; Baltimore, MD; Orlando, FL; Pittsburgh, PA