11 Sep 2016

The Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Frans Van der Westhuizen has implored the private sector and the community to support youth.

Speaking at the North East Youth Against Crime and HIV/AIDS empowerment campaign in Mabudzane on Friday (September 9), Mr Van der Westhuizen said the country was faced with moral and social ills that required collective efforts to address.

“The challenges include theft, rape, assault, lack of respect for elders, alcohol and drug abuse, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), and HIV/AIDS, among others,” said the minister.

He noted that engaging in and supporting sport would ensure that social and moral issues that the nation faced were dealt with.

Mr Van der Westhuizen commended Botswana Savings Bank (BSB) for sponsoring the campaign dubbed Makgonatsotlhe cluster, made up of Tsamaya, Themashanga, Siviya, Jacklas No. 2, and Mabudzane.

He also reminded the youth that engaging in sport brought with it health and economic gains, adding that the government had introduced several initiatives such as the Youth Development Fund (YDF) to combat poverty and develop the youth.

He urged the youth to take advantage of YDF to create sustainable employment opportunities for themselves and others.

BSB head of marketing and corporate, Mr Onkabetse Sedumedi said the bank started sponsoring the initiative in 2008 as a way of becoming part of community development, especially as regards issues of poverty eradication.

The manager explained that BSB started by mobilising villages into a cluster and engage in community projects; the bank also funded the fencing of the cluster’s recreation park.

He noted that the project, which is part of the bank’s corporate social responsibility, was one of those doing very well in the country.

Tshesebe Police Station Commander, superintendent Amos Kekgathetse called on the Makgonatsotlhe cluster to do more to reduce crime such as defilement, robbery, rape, stock theft and others.

He noted that a high number of house breaking and theft happened because houses especially those of public officers were usually left unattended; as such, he advised people to utilise initiatives such as neighbourhood watch to fight crime.

The deputy vice project coordinator, Ms Esther Peo said the project was aimed at building responsible youths and the fight against crime and HIV/AIDS.

Ms Peo said under the funding, which ends this year, four syouth are assisted to start tuckshops in Mabudzane, Mowana, Butale and Jacklas No.2. ENDS