09 Apr 2018

Gaborone Central MP, Dr Phenyo Butale has commended the youth for striving to be the change that they desire to see in society.

In a keynote address he gave at a financial literacy seminar held by the University of Botswana Financial Literacy Society on April 7, Dr Butale said the persistence by the youth to be that change was encouraging, hence the need for them to not give up on their dream.He emphasised the importance of young people not allowing themselves to be spectators in events that impacted their lives.

 

“You cannot be spectators in a game in which the object of play is your livelihoods,” he noted, further underlining how crucial it was for them to play a role in determining the kind of future they desired and longed forThe legislator also hailed the youth for the amazing ideas that they had, noting that if the country’s policies were accommodating of such noble ideas, they would give great impetus to the efforts to empower the young people and at the same time help drive economic growth.MP Butale thus implored the youth to not despise their ideas and dreams, because if given a platform, they could do much towards endeavours to change the fortunes of the country.

 

Dr Butale further highlighted the importance of reading in personal development, saying it could not be over-emphasised

He however decried the fear for reading that he said many Batswana were living with.

He said the phobia for reading was a stumbling block to the success of many. A business leadership strategist and motivational speaker, Dr Wilbert Mutoko spoke on the importance of having a goal when doing anything in life.

 

He said without a strong reason why one was doing something, the chances of them not pushing through to the end were high.“If you are to survive the harsh realities of life, you have to have a reason why. Unless you have a strong reason why you are doing something, you will not succeed,” he said.

Dr Mutoko also observed how critical it was to act on one’s dreams, saying action was the difference between people who made it in life and those who failed. He said having a strong reason for doing something was not enough, noting that in addition to that it was important for one to develop their skills so as to be good at whatever they needed to do.

 

He said networking and mentorship were also crucial for success in life.

The director of Techno Kids, an IT academy for children aged from two to 18 years, Ms Atlarelang Mosime said it was important for young people who wanted to start businesses to research intensely until they identified businesses that were right for them.Ms Mosime encouraged those aspiring to go into business to note that once they started, they had to be prepared to follow their ideas through.

 

The self-funded business owner also pointed out that it was important to start small and take incremental steps along the way

Speaking on personal financial development, Ms Catherine Thebe, who is the founder of Financial Literacy Trust, said many people in Botswana were highly indebted due to a lack of financial literacy.

 

She said one of the objectives of their trust was to raise awareness on financial literacy.

Ms Thebe said raising a financially literate generation was important as individuals’ financial decisions impacted not only them but also other people, especially those close to them.

The financial advisor also said financial illiteracy affected all people and cut across age groupsShe said financial literacy had great benefits, among them being freedom to pursue one’s dreams, and the ability to make a positive impact on society.

She said it also gave independence and security.

 

Outlining the objectives of the seminar, the president of the University of Botswana Financial Literacy Society Mr Tshepang Montshosi said the workshop provided an opportunity for tertiary institutions students to introspect especially that Botswana and many other countries were grappling with youth unemployment. Mr Montshosi said the seminar provided a platform for students to come up with strategies through which they could develop and have a competitive edge over those with whom they would compete for the limited job opportunities.  ENDS