21 May 2013

Natural Designers company from Matshekge Senior Secondary School obtained position three at the just ended Child and Youth Finance International Summit in Turkey.

Natural Designers together with Flame designers from Kgari Sechele Senior Secondary School were the two companies under Junior Achievement Botswana (JAB) to represent the country at the summit which attracted the best companies from 100 countries.

Speaking at the award presentation ceremony in Gaborone on Monday, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, Ms Grace Muzila said JAB moulded young people into future entrepreneurs. “JAB imparts youngsters with business skills and confidence that can benefit these young people in future,” she noted.

She said the ministry's mandate was beyond reading and writing given that it also moulded and empowered citizens. Ms Muzila also indicated that as a JAB achiever, one could still survive even if they did not do well academically owing to business foundation skills they possessed.

She said they were proud of the achievements by JAB achievers because the companies continued to do well continentally and globally. Thus, she advised achievers to expand their companies even after high school so as to offer employment opportunities to their age mates.She also commended business advisors and respective schools for nurturing the children.

Natural Designers managing director, Thapelo Lesole said they were encouraged by their business advisor to submit their company records online to enter the competition. Thapelo also indicated that young achievers from the 100 companies were split in different groups where they interacted with children from different continents.

The summit, he said was a learning experience for them given that they discussed business related topics to benefit young people who aspired to become entrepreneurs. He also noted that the fact that business studies was offered at secondary schools in Botswana worked well for young Batswana because it exposed them to the business language at a tender age.

“It was an exciting journey and a rare opportunity for us as we shared experiences with other young people,” he said. ENDS