22 Apr 2015

The Junior Chamber International (JCI) Jwaneng chapter president, Mr Badisa Tlhako has urged stakeholders to work with them to address youth challenges through sustainable projects that make an impact on the communities.

Speaking at the JCI Jwaneng second annual stakeholder engagement forum this week, Mr Tlhako noted that their intention was to undertake projects that were in line with this year’s theme: Your Foot steps, Your Voice, Your Impact.

He said even though they had a plan of action for 2015, they had to carry over some of the projects from 2014. One of the project carried over was the Kgosi Mpe Junior School career fair which they did in partnership with the school management, he added.

“We have realised that a lot of young people choose careers that they are not passionate about but instead are influenced by friends to do so, and in the end they do something that they have little interest in. Our intention is to use this program to help in shaping the future of young people before they go to Senior Secondary school,” he explained.

Furthermore, Mr Tlhako noted that they want to bridge the gap by organising a Youth Business Expo, which is usually held only in big cities like Gaborone. 

With this initiative, he noted, they would not only bring the expo closer to the local youth, but also bring together other stakeholders such as Local Enterprises Authority (LEA) to help in information sharing on different businesses.

He also said that they intend to run a First Aid sensitisation forum targeting domestic workers and house wives in response to the current high rate of domestic fires experienced in Jwaneng.

“We want to train them so that if something happens they would know what to do to respond to the fire and ultimately save lives and minimise damage to property,” he said.Consequently, he appealed to all stakeholders to play a role so that the JCI plan could be successful and make the intended impact on the local community.

For her part, LaModimo Trust co-founder, Ms Pauline Ganetsang appealed to other stakeholders to help them build a fully-fledged centre for the vulnerable kids that they are taking care of. 

She said their aim was to take away children from the streets and take them to school but due to limited resources they were facing challenges.

“The centre has already been allocated a plot at Sese and therefore we are appealing to stakeholders to help because we want to bring hope and groom these children to be responsible citizens,” she pleaded.

The youth officer from the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture Ms Neo Sonnyboy said lack of commitment and operational space were some of the factors hindering the Youth Development Fund (YDF) programme.

She pleaded with other stakeholders to help them advocate for factory shells for young people since they could not afford Jwaneng exorbitant rental rates.

Another participant, councillor for Mogale ward, Mr Ronicah Ntsimako called for regular workshops on business management and leadership.

 He underscored the need for more emphasis on the implementation of the business mentorship program which he said could go a long way in developing youth businesses

.“Part of the reason why young people are reluctant to take up programmes such as the YDF is because they don’t have what it takes to lead others in business and take the responsibility and accountability that come with setting up a business,” he said. ENDS