28 Jul 2014

Do you know a young Motswana aged between 15 and 35 years, who have made a positive impact in the community? If yes, the first ever Botswana Youth Awards will recognise their contribution in building this nation.

Unveiling the awards in Gaborone, recently, Mr Benjamin Raletsatsi, the Botswana National Youth Council (BNYC) executive director said it was high time Batswana youth were celebrated and rewarded for excellence.

“This is a way to formally recognise young people who are going all out in their respective communities and encourage them to greater heights,” he said.

He stated that the objective of these awards was to recognise the achievements of young people who have worked for the welfare and development of the youth in Botswana and help support the vision 2016 pillars, the National Development Plan 10 and the Millennium Development Goals.

In addition the young person should have used his/her chosen category to better the community. The awards are open to outstanding young persons aged between 15 and 35 years old and citizens of Botswana who have made an impact in the community between.

Mr Raletsatsi stated that if you know someone who deserves this recognition, one can visit the nearest BNYC offices in your district and collect nomination forms between the 7th July and 8th August 2014. The nominations are open to everyone and any one to vote as many times as they wish.

The nominations have 10 categories which include Best Youth in arts, innovation, culture and entertainment (music, film performing arts and dance), Best Youth Owned Business, Best Youth in Community volunteerism, Best Youth living with disability pioneering disability issues and Best Youth in Sports, and the 11th category is the Chairman’s award.

Further, the judging process will be divided into 2 phases, out of the nominations 30 finalists will be chosen all entries before they are streamlined to the top 10. 

The top 30 will be rewarded with a three day training on issues of life and leadership. The top 10 will be given a cash price and a chance to be entered in the Junior Chambers International Outstanding persons of the world.

The award ceremony will be held on the 5th September this year in Gaborone. BNYC in partnership with the Remmogo have also developed a logo and a theme song by various Batswana artists. 

Go monate jwang go na monana re ipela ka boshwa ,is a taste of the chorus of the song. ENDS