12 Sep 2018

Youth have been discouraged from depending entirely on the Youth Development Fund (YDF) when seeking to set up businesses.

This was said by Assistant Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Culture Development Mr Philip Makgalemele, noting that applicants of the YDF often gave up on their business ideas when their loan applications turned unsuccessful despite other available options.

He urged applicants at a kgotla meeting in Francistown on Thursday to explore other avenues regardless of how many times they failed to secure funding.

He further acknowledged that majority of initiatives in Botswana such as CEDA, LEA, business mentoring, gender affairs grant and Poverty Eradication scheme were open to the youth alongside other Batswana.

“Youth in Botswana have the mentality that YDF is the only route they can take to starting a business locally.

You need to research about other initiatives and funding schemes apart from the YDF,” he said.

A resident of Donga in Francistown Mr Ndiye Julius recommended that thorough market analysis be done prior to business ideas being funded.

He observed that most businesses that were funded were struggling to succeed and survive in the business community, adding that funds used to sponsor such businessed could be used to create employment for the youth.

For his part, another resident Mr Joel Nchenje stated that he was displeased by how local TV stations used content from outside Botswana, whereas there were many talented Batswana graduates who were more than willing to produce content.

 Mr Nchenje also suggested that the ministry set up an amphitheatre in Francistown as it would help unearth talent in the film industry.

He further asked why government did not absorb interns upon completion of the internship programme.

In response to Mr Nchenje’s suggestion, Francistown District youth coordinator, Ms Minkie Bokole stated that plans to set up a youth centre in the city were underway, adding that she was hopeful that an amphitheatre would be part of it.

On the issue of absorbing interns, Mr Makgalemele explained that the internship programme was initially started to help graduates acquire work experience so that they could compete better in their search for employment.

He further noted that currently there were no plans to absorb interns, but rather equip them with the necessary skills.

Giving a vote of thanks, Member of Parliament for Francistown East Mr Buti Billy suggested that a proper review be done in order to find out why businesses funded by YDF were struggling to survive though they have been funded.

Mr Billy also mentioned that there was a gap that needed to be filled in the TV and film industry in Botswana and further suggested that since it was evident that the film and TV industry in Nigeria has grown immensely, local youth be taken to Nigeria to benchmark and come back with ideas on how to succeed in the industry.ENDS