07 Mar 2013

The Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture has funded 32 youth projects in the Chobe constituency since 2009 at a total cost of more than P2 million.

Minister Shaw Kgathi said this when responding to a question in Parliament from Chobe MP, Mr Gibson Nshimwe.

In 2009/2010, Mr Kgathi said one project was funded in the constituency at more than P87 000, creating one employment opportunity. The project, he said was temporarily closed following unauthorized relocation of the beneficiary to Ramotswa.

He however, said the beneficiary had been located and was in the process of relocating back to Kasane to resume operation.

Minister Kgathi said during the 2010/2011 financial year, five projects amounting to more than P487, 000 were funded in the Chobe constituency, creating 113 employment opportunities.

Four of these projects, Mr Kgathi said, were still operational while in the other one, the beneficiary was looking for an alternative place of operation following withdrawal of the initial offer.

He said in 2011/2012 seven youth projects were funded at a total cost of more than P531 000 generating 11 employment opportunities. Of these seven, six were in operation while the other one was closed due to difficulty in sourcing raw materials from South Africa, he added.

“However, the beneficiaries have been advised to identify an alternative supplier so that the project is operationalised,” he added.

For the 2012/2013 financial year, Mr Kgathi said 19 projects amounting to more than P1 million had been funded. These, he said had created 29 employment opportunities and were all in operation.

“In conclusion, the picture that I have just painted depicts a 90.6 per cent success rate of youth enterprises in the Chobe constituency. This is commendable and my ministry will continue to work closely with the youth to ensure that their projects are successful,” he added.

Mr Nshimwe had wanted to know the number of youth projects that had been funded by the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture in the Chobe constituency since 2009 and the total costs associated with the projects. ENDS