24 Sep 2015

The Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture has been commended for empowering the youth, developing sports and promoting the country’s culture and heritage.

Kgalagadi District Council chairperson, Mr Justice Nkwane praised the ministry when delivering the keynote address during a council session on Tuesday (September 22).

He said the ministry has funded 419 youth in the district through the Youth Development Fund. He also noted that the fund was under review to improve its output, and to allow beneficiaries to apply for any type of business. 

He said the many initiatives aimed at helping the youth were a testament that the government was committed to eradicating youth unemployment.

On other issues, Mr Nkwane said the high vacancy rate in the district shows acute shortage of staff. He said although some officers were transferred on promotion, they still turned down the offer to work in the district. He said it was a clear indication that the district faced an uphill battle to fill vacant posts.

Commenting, the councillor for Kang North, Mr Kemmonnye Makatane said the high vacancy rate was likely to impact negatively on service delivery. 

He called for the promotion of public officers who had worked in the district for a long time. Cllr Makatane added that vacant posts meant more work for other officers. He said the officers should be given  an acting allowance to boost their morale.

The councillor for Bogogobo/Kolonkwaneng, Mr John Lentshikang shared the same sentiments, pointing out that efficient service delivery would just be a dream.

He said shortage of staff would lead to lack of project monitoring resulting in shoddy work done. Some councillors said the chairperson failed to inform them on whether YDF beneficiaries were settling their loans to enable others to benefit. Ends