17 Nov 2016

More youth in the Chobe region have started to show interest in the Youth Development Fund (YDF) programme this financial year compared to the last one.

During the 2015/16 financial year, only two projects were funded while this year, three projects had been funded with two pending conditional offers and one awaiting appraisal.

The department of youth’s principal programme officer, Mr Omphitlhetse Tshukudu, stated in an interview that 13 proposals had already been submitted to his office.

“There is a change from last financial year as more youth are showing interest by bringing in their business ideas for approval,” he stated.

He said the projects had managed to do well and creating employment for people around the region because 91 males and 64 females have been employed in all these youth projects.

That notwithstanding, Mr Tshukudu said the projects were not immune to challenges and one of the most common was predators who preyed on the livestock.

He said Chobe was a wildlife area, which became a cause for concern to those who reared livestock and the other challenge faced is transportation.

Mr Tshukudu noted that Chobe, a region far from a lot of facilities needed for business, often leaves entrepreneurs with no choice, but to buy their products from as far as Francistown and Gaborone, which is costly.

He also said it was not easy to find operating space for the youth businesses, but if they do find it, it tends to be expensive.

Meanwhile, Mr Tshukudu said though there had been an increment, the youth still seemed reluctant to start own businesses.

He said there were many youth programmes available, which require less effort from them and bring in money faster than writing proposals and waiting to be funded.

Mr Tshukudu further stated that the youth funding office faces challenges as well as some of the youth funded do not repay as agreed.

He explained that for some, it is understandable as the market affects the project, but for others the businesses take off without any hindrances yet they still fail to pay back the grant.

“We do call on them as well as their parents, address kgotla meetings and even write letters to them,” said Mr Tshukudu.

He further stated that beneficiaries should submit their reports even if they are failing to repay, so that they can help them and see how their businesses are doing.

Mr Tshukudu advised beneficiaries to take their businesses seriously as this is a lifetime opportunity.

Since its roll out in Chobe in 2009, Mr Tshukudu said YDF has managed to fund 55 projects amounting to P7 million in the district and the youth seem to have more interest in agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and provision of services. BOPA