29 May 2018

Government, through the Department of Information Services, has recently trained over 30 young people as writers and photographers for participation in the freelance journalists’ initiative.

The programme is one of the many government initiatives targeting youth with the aim of creating employment and alleviating poverty among them.

The participants, to be deployed in the department’s Kweneng Bureau, were trained on news writing, media law and policies, principles of journalism as well as code of conduct and professionalism.

Addressing the freelancers, Botswana Press Agency sub-editor, Ms Daphne Motswakae said the programme had grown over the years and had improved the lives of many young people.

She said the programme’s capacity was 200 annually translating into 50 freelancers per each of the four bureaus of Kweneng, Central, Northern and Southern.

“We receive increased numbers of applications each year but we take 50 from each region. However, the numbers decrease drastically once successful applicants have enrolled in the programme.

This is due to various reasons such as moving on to greener pastures while others just choose not to write,” she explained.

Freelancing, she said, required hard work and discipline because output determined one’s remuneration.

She warned freelancers against plagiarism and encouraged them to put the knowledge they acquired to good use.

Another speaker, Kweneng Bureau chief, Ms Lorato Okaile warned the freelancers that it was not going to be smooth sailing, citing competition and challenges. She encouraged them to persevere.

“Writing is a skill. Its creativity and talent which begins with your interest.

It’s not determined by qualification. Know that practice makes perfect. This is a golden opportunity for you, cherish it,” she said.

For their part, the freelancers thanked government for affording them the opportunity to explore their talents and earn a living.

First time freelancer, Ms Kamogelo Mosokwane said the initiative was open to everyone and encouraged young women to apply.

“I first applied in 2015. Unfortunately, I failed the interview but I didn’t give up. I’m grateful that this year I made it,” she said.

Another freelancer, Ms Nthabiseng Modise revealed she had been in the programme since 2015, and that her life had improved both financially and socially.

The initiative, she said, gave her a platform for networking, learning and appreciating different people in different communities.

She said determination and focus had sustained her. ENDS