13 Mar 2017

Assistant Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Mr Kefentse Mzwinila says 63 permanent jobs were created from the 10 funded youth industry projects in the past three years.

Mr Mzwinila told Parliament on Tuesday, 10 youth industries were funded in Gaborone, Chobe district and Jwaneng-Mabudzane constituency in the past three years from 2014/15 to 2016/17.

He explained that nine were in Gaborone and one in the Chobe District, while ‘Jwaneng- Mabutsane constituency does not have any youth industry project at the moment.’

He pointed that among the 63 jobs that were created, 60 youth are in Gaborone, while two permanent jobs were created in the Chobe District.

He further stated that all the 10 funded youth industries are in operational.  

Assistant minister Mzwinila also mentioned that there were no new youth industries approved in December 2016, in the four areas of Francistown, Chobe District, Gaborone and Jwaneng-Mabutsane constituency.

He said it was important to note that projects which were not within the youth industry category were being funded.

Specially Elected Member of Parliament, Mr Mephato Reatile had asked the minister to state the number of companies and specific business industries that were funded under the youth industry category by the Youth Development Fund (YDF) in Gaborone City, Chobe District and Jwaneng - Mabutsane constituency in the past three years.

Mr Reatile had also wanted to know the permanent and temporary jobs that were created by those youth companies in the past three years.

He further wanted to find out if the youth companies that were funded, are still operating and those that closed their businesses.

Again, the Specially Elected MP wanted the minister to state companies that were approved for funding in December 2016, and received funds and those that are yet to receive funding after being approved in the said areas.ENDS