21 Feb 2017

Botswana Youth Awards returns bigger and better after its inception in 2014.

The awards were then halted  for sometime to give way to the BOT50 celebrations.

This year, the awards, which aims to unearth untold stories, celebrate those who are pioneers in their communities and to reward them accordingly, will be held under the theme, The Possible Dream, Embracing Tomorrow.  

The awards will be held on 20 May.

Eight categories have been added to the already existing 10 and two of the eight are prestigious awards for the overall best male and female of the year awards.

In an interview, chief organiser of Botswana Youth Awards, Mr Kagiso Morebodi said by increasing the number of categories was a way of reaching a broader spectrum of the youth and cater for every sector of the economy.

He said they had noticed a significant improvement in this year’s nominations as most of the nominees were from across the whole country, as compared to the previous awards where the nominees were from Gaborone and surroundings only.

Also, he pointed out that from June to September they will host Botswana Youth Seminar, which would target for 200 young people aged between 18 to 35 years on topics such as entrepreneurship, character building, behavioral change.

He added that the seminar would also be a platform for bench marking, capacity building and networking.

Mr Morebodi further said they had partnered with local embassies for cultural exchange programmes and bench marking for winners in all categories from October to December.

Assistant events manager of Botswana Youth Awards, Ms  Elizabeth Baitumetse said nominations were opened beginning of this month and they were yet to traverse the country to sensitise the youth about the awards.

Ms Baitumentse said to make the awards colourful, they had produced a celebratory theme song featuring MMP Family, Gaone Ranthoiwa and Frost,  adding that the video of the song would premier on BTV soon.

She further highlighted that they were currently working on soliciting funds.

She said they intend giving trophies and certificates to all the winners.

Some companies, she said had pledged employment slots, while tertiary institutions had pledged six to 12 months scholarship.

She implored youth to submit their nominations. BOPA