05 Dec 2018

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with Botswana National Youth Council (BNYC) recently held a Youth Dialogue to share ideas about programmes availed by the organisations to empower the youth. 

The seminar also aimed to sensitise youth about the sustainable development goals, sustainable businesses and to also look at issues of character building and innovative solutions to youth unemployment.

The project manager at UNDP, Mr Christopher Batsalelwang called on the youth to form partnerships and pursue projects as teams and to conduct research to select the right businesses to venture into, after looking at the available opportunities.  Mr Batsalelwang urged the youth to pursue projects that are sustainable, relevant and would have a positive impact on the economy of Selebi Phikwe and the SPEDU region.

The principal programme officer at MYSC, in Selebi Phikwe, Ms Wazah Fani said the large number of youth who participated at the seminar demonstrated that the youth of Selebi Phikwe were eager to venture into business to empower themselves and play a role in the economy of the region.  She said more such workshops needed to held to motivate the youth to come up with viable and sustainable business projects that would create employment for other youth.

Ms Neo Makwete from LEA advised the youth to consider business opportunities in franchising and partner with well-established entities as the move proved beneficial.

Councillor for Phase 1, Ms Mmapula Matlhole, who was representing the mayor, said the event accorded the youth a platform to present their business ideas, challenges and establish ways to address the setbacks they are experiencing in Selebi Phikwe such as youth unemployment. 

She explained that government had put many programmes in place that the youth could utilise to earn a living, especially after the closure of the BCL mine. 

Meanwhile, the youth expressed concern about the long processes one had to endure to receive funding to start a business project. ENDS