17 Oct 2017

Francistown District coordinator in the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Culture Development (MYSC), Ms Minki Bokole has raised concern over a house dubbed “room 9” in Block 1 which has become a hub of unbecoming behaviour by the youth.

Ms Bokole said this at a consultative meeting with Francistown City councillors recently. She said children were being initiated into Satanism, drugs and alcohol as well as different sexual activities at the house.

Ms Bokole pleaded with the city leadership to support their campaign against the ongoings at room 9, saying it posed a threat to the futures of the city’s youth. Ms Bokole said a consultative meeting on the issue had been held with relevant stakeholder.

She said the owner of the neglected house has been located and requested to lock it. Ms Bokole noted that stakeholders had taken the decision to monitor the house to ensure that no illegal and inappropriate activities took place. The deputy mayor of Francistown, Mr Godisang Radisigo applauded the ministry for involving councillors in issues that affected the community.

Mr Radisigo said their desire was to see the youth taking part in strengthening the country’s culture and economic development. Briefing councillors on MYSC grants, the ministry’s programme officer in Francistown, Ms Mokgadi Molaakgosi said the programmes act as an empowerment strategy for the arts, youth and athletes.

Ms Molaakgosi explained that the grants sought to stimulate creativity among young people and to support the growth and development of the creative industry. “The grant seeks to empower cultural practitioners, youth and athletes to contribute towards economic diversification through the development of sustainable projects,” she said.

She said some of the grants included the youth grant which addressed priority areas for youth development; the sport and recreation grant, arts and culture grant. ENDS