26 Jul 2016

Young people who benefited from the Youth Development Fund (YDF) programme have been urged to practice patience in order for their businesses to thrive.

The deputy permanent secretary in the ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture (MYSC), Mr Kgopotso Ramoroka told them that they should not despair, but rather be prepared to face the challenges encountered in business.

He made the plea when responding to some concerns raised by the beneficiaries who expressed frustration that it was not easy to be awarded tenders in government departments.

He urged the young entrepreneurs to be patient and keep on making efforts to tender,  noting that eventually they would be successful. “I urge you not to get into a mode of quitting or being impatient because to be successful, we need patience and that is what business is all about,” he added.

Mr Ramoroka encouraged them to work on their failures and ensure compliance when tendering, adding that at times they were  rejected because of small things.

Mr Ramoroka also encouraged them to have some forums where they could interact, exchange information and correct their mistakes.

Entrepreneurs were also advised to submit monthly reports so that the ministry could appreciate their challenges and come up with solutions.

Earlier on, the young entrepreneurs complained that at times they wished to quit because of challenges such as lack of market, high rentals and lack of space. They complained that they tried their luck to tender in different government departments, but were always rejected. 

They alleged that tenders were awarded to established businesses.

Entrepreneurs pleaded with the ministry to make a waiver that young entrepreneurs compete within themselves.

Ms Precious Miyutu appreciated the role played by department of youth in empowering young people.

She wished the department could also organise seminars to train youth in business management noting that some projects collapsed because of lack of knowledge and right skills to run a business.

Mr Bokang Mosiane urged the ministry to consider increasing the YDF loan noting that it was not adequate for some projects especially in tourism. Some entrepreneurs who operated tourism projects explained that their businesse were  seasonal hence at times they fail to service their loans.

They indicated that they made profits during winter and in other seasons the profits were low.

It came to light during the meeting that Tawana Land Board had promised 300 plots at the industrial site and the aim was to develop factory shells where they could house youth in business.

Efforts were made to advocate for 20 per cent reservation in tenders through affirmative action and some departments had requested a directory of youth in business. Ends