06 Dec 2016

President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama says government continues to support youth industries by financing start-ups through the Youth development Fund (YDF), which has an annual budget allocation of P120 million.

Delivering State-of-the-Nation Address, Monday (December 5), President Khama indicated that during the last financial year, a total of 1 032 projects were funded to a tune of P107 million creating 1 613 jobs.

In addition, he said as a deliberate policy change to improve sustainability of youth businesses exemptions and quick-wins were introduced as part of  affirmative action in favour of youth businesses.

Nonetheless, President Khama said government remained steadfast in its commitment to promoting positive attitudes among young people to be responsible and self-reliant individuals with sound morals.

He added that to assist in such effort, government was collaborating with relevant youth organisations, to promote such positive behaviour.

On national service and internship, President Khama indicated that in the spirit of self-reliance the Botswana National Service Programme continued to attract young Batswana to serve in their communities.

In 2015, he said the programme’s average monthly enrollment was 10 500, while as of June, this year  the numbers had increased to 13 474.

Furthermore, he said the National Internship Programme, which was introduced to help unemployed graduates to develop workplace skills and experience has thus far enrolled 3 452 youth. ENDS