23 Mar 2015

Member of Parliament for Kgalagadi North, on March 20, presented a motion in Parliament calling for transformation of CEDA Young Farmers Fund to broaden its scope.

Presenting the motion, Mr Itumeleng Moipisi said CEDA Young Farmers Fund should be transformed into Youth Entrepreneurship Fund to enable the youth to get funding for other sectors such as property, manufacturing, services, supplies and retail.

He said so far, CEDA had invested P145 million on 108 youth owned projects creating 1 027 jobs on other sectors outside agriculture. “In light of this information, CEDA has proven performance record, experience and also the requisite skills such as investment appraisal, project management, entrepreneurial and monitoring and mentoring skills to run youth projects,” he said.

MP Moipisi said sectors that should be considered should comprise information and communications technology, tourism, entertainment, tailoring, services and leather works.

For his part, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Vincent Seretse welcomed the motion saying it would help develop entrepreneurship amongst the youths especially given CEDA low interest rates.

MP for Nata-Gweta, Mr Polson Majaga also welcomed the motion saying Young Farmers Fund strictly assisted youths in agricultural projects but now it was time to broaden its scope.

MP for Boteti West, Mr Slumber Tsogwane supported the motion saying it was progressive while Bobirwa MP, Mr Shaw Kgathi said it was more of an affirmative action as it would enable youths to enter into businesses.

However, MP for Molepolole North, Mr Mohammed Khan said he opposed the motion and the same sentiments were shared by MPs for Gaborone North, Gaborone Central, Gaborone Bonnington South and Selebi Phikwe West, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse.

MP Khan said he was concerned that despite the amount of money used to fund projects, few jobs were created. He said the Young Farmers Fund has been successful and CEDA was already funding youths in other sectors.

MP for Gaborone North, Mr Haskins Nkaigwa said the problem with youth funding was accessibility as most found it difficult to secure loans due to several factors amongst them the requirement of a deposit.

Selebi Phikwe West MP, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse said the motion was inadequate as it did not show how problems of youth unemployment and under employment would be addressed.

He called for the establishment of an agency that would help youth in their training, business development adding there was need to come up with tax incentives for companies that employ youths.

However, his proposal to amend the motion and call for the establishment of a Youth Development Agency was rejected by the Speaker as it was a totally new motion.

MP for Gaborone Bonnington South, Mr Ndaba Gaolathe said Botswana needed a new business eco system not restricted to funding only but have other aspects such as research and development, training and access to markets including international markets.

He said there were several sectors Botswana could have comparative advantage on and become engines of growth. MP Ndaba called for the development of sectorial funds and should include technology, mining beneficiation and creativity.   ENDS