04 May 2014

Government has set aside P35 million for youth businesses for this financial year, says Member of Parliament for Ngwaketse West, Mr Mephato Reatile.

Addressing a kgotla meeting in Jwaneng, Mr Reatile said the government through the Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology (MIST) aimed at empowering and motivating the youth to venture into construction business.

Mr Reatile said youth empowerment would help reduce unemployment because successful businesses would employ other people. He told residents that government has also allocated some funds to the Ministry of Education and Skills Development to improve the learning environment in schools and consequently improve academic performance.

For his part, the Jwaneng mayor, Mr Amos Jahana encouraged small entrepreneurs to plan well for the upcoming Toyota Desert Race. He urged them to devise profitable business ideas which could benefit them, as the event would be hosted by Jwaneng for the next three years.

Even though he supported government’s move to empower youth businesses, one resident, Mr Kabelo Gothaang said the government should also come up with initiatives aimed at empowering people beyond the youth age group. ENDS