02 Mar 2015

The Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture has developed strategies to enhance the Youth Development Fund (YDF). 

These strategies include youth mobilisation shows, youth pitsos and business awareness creation workshops. 

Minister Thapelo Olopeng told Parliament that his ministry and district officers had identified potential economic opportunities in their different districts and the information would be used to guide aspiring young entrepreneurs. Successful youth businesses would also be refinanced to generate more interest and enhance their growth, the minister said. 

Mr Olopeng said lack of entrepreneurship skills, shortage of operational space and market access had been identified as major causes for low uptake in some constituencies. 

He said his ministry had engaged the Ministry of Lands and Housing with a view to establish youth land banks where aspiring young entrepreneurs will be allocated land for establishment of their businesses. The minister said they also intend to refurbish unutilised government buildings, warehouses and factory shells into operational spaces for young people.  ENDS