30 Aug 2015

Mababe youth have been encouraged to strive for projects and opportunities availed by government though they may be faced with challenges.

Permanent secretary in the ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture, Mr Ntabeni Malikongwa has said.

Speaking during the ministry’s community service day held at Mababe recently, Mr Malikongwa noted that Mababe was a small village with a few population, thus a challenge for business aspirants. However, he said the youth should look beyond their village and embrace viable opportunities as their village is a transit for tourists going to Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park.

He noted the devastating challenge of lack of land for business aspirants as Mababe is considered state land and land allocation has been halted.

Mr Malikongwa made a call to other village bodies such as the Mababe Trust to assist the youth if they have abundant land.

Meanwhile, senior managers and some officers from the ministry painted a two roomed Village Development Committee (VDC) house, replaced doors and donated kits for various sporting code such as netball, football and volleyball to the Mababe community.

In an interview, deputy permanent secretary  for corporate services, Mr Peter Mongwaketse said the ministry was holding a week long senior management forum in Maun and chose to undertake community service to Mababe community.

He said the whole project amounted to P10 000, adding the community service was also aimed at appreciating the village’s culture and tourism destiny.

Mababe VDC chairperson, Mr Molatlhegi Matsamo said Mababe youth will not give up on their dreams even though they are faced with many challenges. He requested the permanent secretary to advocate on their behalf for land with the Ministry of Lands and Housing.

Furthermore, Mr Matsamo said the community was grateful for the assistance granted by the youth ministry officials. He noted that many VDC houses were affected by floods, which led to some public officers being transferred from the village. Mr Matsamo said the two bedroomed house painted was not in a good condition though it accommodates police officers. Ends