15 Dec 2014

Government has various programmes geared at youth empowerment and job creation to accord the independence of youth in all sectors of the economy.

Giving a motivational speech during the Stepping Stones International (SSI) youth camp in Mokolodi Nature Reserve on December 11, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Vincent Seretse implored the youth to take advantage of the life skills they had been taught during the camp.

He said programmes that targeted the youth had been availed by government to close the gap of lack of employment when they complete their courses at school. Mr Seretse also said government had also noted with a keen interest that within different societies, there were diverse groups with different interests, special needs, challenges and disability levels.

He therefore implored the youth to be different in the way they faced their individual life challenges and not be afraid to challenge the norm as long as they acted with integrity.

“You should be willing to take chances, be innovative, make and follow your own path and not just follow the well-trodden one. Chart your own course and destiny and be the person you were meant to be,” said Mr Seretse.

The youth camp was held under the theme “Botho” to which Minister Seretse said it was an important aspect of the society in which people must show respect to each other in order for them to live in harmony.

He said in Setswana culture young people were required to show more respect towards elders regardless of their relationship. Mr Seretse commended Stepping Stones International for having deemed it fit to extend a helping hand in grooming more than 50 young people who converged at the camp.

He said through the gesture they were shaping their future to become true leaders of tomorrow and driving the Vision 2016 pillar of being, a compassionate, just and caring nation.”

Minister Seretse said it was important that they empowered the youth with life skills which were valuable in shaping their future to be independent and accountable citizens.

Outlining the youth camp objectives, SSI psychosocial support coordinator Ms Bontlebotsile Sebate said the youth camp was an annual event which they held in partnership with Mokolodi Game Reserve to empower the youth with life skills.

She said this time around about 58 young people from Mochudi participated in this year’s youth camp where they learnt different life skills geared at preparing them for the future.

Ms Sebate further said SSI had taken the initiative to educate the youth on issues that affected their lives and how they could overcome them. She said, “when they are ready to face life situations, they can do much better than if they were never taught at all.”

Ms Sebate said the investment would go a long way in paving a way for a better life for the youth who were leaders of tomorrow.
“Those who have been already to the youth camp appreciate the time and life skills they have learnt in the week they spent at Mokolodi. This then makes us proud that we are impacting the lives of the youth,” said Ms Sebate.

The youth were also awarded achievements certificates to recognise their own individual achievement. ENDS