28 Nov 2018

Parliament has been told that 514 youth-owned businesses have benefited from the Reservation on Micro Procurement (Local Procurement Scheme Presidential Directive CAB 19 (B) 2013) from October 2016 to October 2018.

Responding to a question asked by specially elected Member of Parliament, Mr Mephato Reatile on Monday, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Mr Thapelo Olopeng said the reservation covered mainly goods and services like cultural performances and creative arts.

Mr Olopeng said one Youth Development Fund beneficiary had benefited from the Reservation on Maintenance, at a tender sum of P18 558.40 as most of the ministry facilities were occupied on lease rental basis.

In addition, he said 4 373 youth companies had benefited from the Price Preference (Local Procurement Scheme Presidential Directive Cab 19 (B) 2013) during the period of October 2016 to October 2018.

In an endeavour to promote procurement from youth companies, he  noted that 71 per cent tenders for Now TV content had been awarded to youth companies.

Furthermore, he added that the lowest amount awarded to a youth supplier had been P868.56 for catering services and the highest tender amount awarded was P1 159 746.30 for the period of October 2016 to October 2018.

“This was a works tender for the supply and delivery of pre-fabricated offices for Ramotswa and Molepolole MYSC offices,” he said.

Mr Reatile had asked the minister to state the names and number of youth companies that had benefited from his ministry including parastatals and independent departments under Government Policy Reform of 2015: Affirmative Action in Favour of the youth.

He wanted to know youth companies that benefitted from Reservation on Micro Procurement (Local Procurement Scheme Presidential Directive CAB 19 (2013)), Reservation on Maintenance, price preference (Local Procurement Scheme Presidential Directive CAB 19 (B) 2013).

The minister was also asked to state the lowest and highest amount awarded for each tender.ENDS