The Mbombela Concerned Youth Group (MCYG) met with the University of Mpumalanga (UMP) on Tuesday, March 4, following allegations that the institution has failed to hire young locals and provide them with business opportunities.

On February 4, the group staged a protest and submitted a memorandum of demands at UMP's main entrance to voice their concerns.

The MCYG claims that UMP's business and hiring policies primarily benefit individuals from outside the City of Mbombela (CoM).

After submitting their memorandum, discussions between the youth group and the university led to a proposed way forward.

The MCYG requested that UMP rotate the businesses it works with, allocate space for local vendors, and provide a report detailing all subcontracting work awarded by construction companies at the university over the past two years.

Additionally, they demanded that 50% of UMP's workforce be local, a larger share of the university's budget be spent with local service providers, and that all general workers be sourced from the local community.

MCYG spokesperson, Zanele Mabuza, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the meeting.

"We appreciate the open line of communication with the university. This is a positive step, and we now await UMP's internal discussions and review of our requests so that we, as the youth of Mbombela, can be supported and included," she said.

UMP spokesperson, Tlangelani Ubisi, echoed this sentiment, stating that the engagement with MCYG was constructive.

"We are pleased with this approach. Initially, when we responded to their memorandum, there was some misunderstanding, but today [March 4], we have made progress in addressing their concerns," said Ubisi.

On Thursday, March 6, MCYG visited UMP's Centre of Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator, which provides mentorship and support to young entrepreneurs from Mbombela and surrounding areas.

Discussions between UMP and MCYG are set to continue, with the university expected to follow up with the group by Friday, March 7.

This situation has sparked broader discussions on the university's role in supporting the local economy and youth development.

MCYG representatives emphasized that their movement is not politically driven but rather a united effort to combat poverty in the CoM. They stated that young people from different political backgrounds have come together to address unemployment in the region.