11 Apr 2018

Deputy chairperson of Ntlo ya dikgosi and Bangwaketse kgosikgolo, Kgosi Malope II has challenged the youth to channel their energy towards good cause.

He said they must strive to overcome enormous challenges engulfing the world as well as exploiting opportunities.

Speaking at the ongoing Ghanzi Senior Secondary School boot camp on Monday, Kgosi Malope II said challenges such as drug and substance abuse, vandalism, poor participation in school activities and wayward behaviour would be the thing of the past if the youth could channel their energy towards good cause.

He said the youth were the ones who should bring solutions to issues such as environmental concerns, global warming, conservation of natural resources, and development of alternative energy.

Kgosi Malope II hailed boot camp initiative, as it enhances students thinking capacity, thus improving their decision making so that they would be able to serve their communities with passion and resilience.  

He was hopeful that through boot camp students would experience a holistic change in their lives because they would be armed with life tackling skills and knowledge.

“Whilst in the process of the boot camp, I challenge you to continue with your quest for knowledge and to discover your unique ways to contribute to the society,” he said.

He appealed to students to take full responsibility for their lives and said that discipline was key to prosperity, “there will be pitfalls along the way, after every fall learn and move on.”

Ghanzi Senior schoolhead, Mr Batshidi Tsae said during the boot camp students would be taught to be tolerant to other people and their cultures, team work, leadership skills and entrepreneurial skills and students talents would be developed on the way.

Mr Tsae said even school leadership was reaping something from the boot camp citing that they learn a lot regarding protocol issues.

He said boot campers would be awarded with certificate during their graduation day.

“Stop fearing success, stay focused on your goals not immediate problems,” he appealed to students.

Regional chief education officer, Mr Brown Sethapelo said the boot camp does not only equip students with life tackling skills, but also helps to restore the value of Botho among the students.

Mr Sethapelo opined that value of Botho was important in every aspect of life.

Ghanzi District Commissioner, Mr Loeto Porati who thanked all stakeholders involved in the boot camp, said investing in children was laying a strong foundation for the country.

Mr Porati said declining academic performance of schools in his region was a source of concern, thus challenged the students and other stakeholders to introspect. 

He implored teachers to leave politics to politicians, saying if they engage in politics their attention would be divided and students’ future  jeopardised.

In his welcome remarks, Kgosi Botshelo Lekgothu of Ghanzi who expressed displeasure about wayward behaviour of youth particularly towards the elderly, hailed boot camp with a view that it could mold their behaviour.

He warned the youth against abusing social media platform but said they should rather use them to better their lives. ENDS