01 Apr 2014

A total of 4 297 youths across the country have benefited from Youth Development Fund (YDF) since its inception in the 2009/10 financial year, the Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture Mr Shaw Kgathi has said. 

Responding to a question from Gaborone West South MP, Minister Kgathi said the youths had 3 880 projects funded at about P355 million and had generated 6 173 employment opportunities. 

Minister Kgathi said 38 youths (26 males and 12 females), had benefited from YDF in Gaborone West South constituency involving 33 projects. He said the projects were funded to the tune of P2.5 million and have created 64 employment opportunities. 

Meanwhile the minister has said out of the 3 880 projects, 2 474 were still operational whilst those funded during 2013/14 financial year were still at various stages of setting up. 

He said in Gaborone West South constituency, 24 out of 33 projects funded from previous financial years are still operational and have generated 64 employment opportunities, while six funded during the current financial year are still setting up. 

Three projects had collapsed due to various reasons such as lack of commitment on the part of beneficiaries and inadequate market. Minister Kgathi said he believes there is still going to be improvement with respect to market availability following the introduction of the Local Procurement Scheme by government under which 20 per cent of procurement activities is reserved for youths, women and people living with disabilities. 

Gaborone West South MP Mr Botsalo Ntuane had asked the minister to state the number of youths who have benefited from YDF and those who were assisted in his constituency. 

MP Ntuane also wanted to know the number of projects which are still operational. Ends