12 Aug 2018

Tokafala Strengthening Youth Development through Enterprise (STRYDE) programme graduates have been urged to insist on excellence to deliver on their aspirations, OLDM human resources manager, Mr Gregory Tshipana has said.

Mr Tshipana said this during the graduation ceremony held in Orapa. STRYDE was launched in January and 64 youth in Letlhakane have completed the core skills training.

Tokafala STRYDE is a programme supported by Debswana, De Beers and Anglo American and has been in operation since 2014.

He said the programme was implemented to equip the youth and women with skills to engage in economic opportunities thus assisting them to become contributors and financially independent members of their communities.

Mr Tshipana noted that the training was a three-month classroom based programme of developing skills for participation in the work force.

The programme, he said, was also aimed at improving their livelihood by equipping the group with skills to plan and achieve goals.

Furthermore, he said progress was made in creating tangible results for participants, citing that 12 group businesses had been formed, and that they have finalised company profiles and business plans.

“The STRYDE journey does not stop here, over the next six months, focus will now shift to creating tangible outcomes being starting and growing businesses as well as job placements for some members,” he said.

In addition, he said the youth would receive mentor support and engage in aftercare activities that would include special skills training and benchmarking trips.

The director of STRYDE, Mr Robert Wiggins said there was a lot in store for them in the aftercare programme, urging them to take responsibility towards success.

STRYDE’s ability to succeed, he said, was dependent on the degree at which the trainees could embrace the programme.

Orapa councillor, Mr Koketso Seloi implored the graduates to remain tolerant and to persevere against the challenges they may encounter.

He also encouraged them to build a reputable image for their companies

Kgosi Christine Moloi of Orapa also encouraged graduates to uphold good customer service. Ends