02 Jul 2019

Ministry of Youth Empowerment Sports and Culture Development (MYSC), principal programmes officer, Mr Othusitse Tshwaedi has said the uptake of Youth Development Fund programme was very low in Moshupa.

He said youth in Moshupa do not apply and as such funding ends up being allocated for youth in Kanye.

 Mr Tshwaedi said this during a kgotla meeting which was organised for the Minister of MYSC in an effort to address the challenges of youth unemployment.

He implored the youth to utilise the government programmes whilst they are still available and also make use of their office to sort out any difficulties that hinder them from accessing the programmes.

Mr Tshwaedi express concern that most youth who have been assisted through the programme do not pay back their loans.

“We are concerned that there are still some beneficiaries who default to service their loans as per our agreement.  The fund provides a 50 per cent loan and 50 per cent grant, therefore the expectation is that they should pay back the loan in installment, according to the contract,” he said.

He therefore requested parents to advise their children on the importance of repaying their loans because defaulting defeats the purpose of assisting more youth.

 He also decried that youth were reluctant to partner with others to form companies or cooperatives.

He advised that there were ample opportunities in Moshupa that youth could utilise and form businesses through partnerships.

 Mr Tshwaedi further advised parents whose youth have already benefitted from the programme to ensure they commit to their businesses.  He noted that, it had proven that parents who monitor such projects, may help influence the success of such businesses. He said youth need to be assisted and shown direction for them to focus, adding that parental support provides motivation for the youth.

 On the update about the construction of the Mini Stadium, Mr Tshwaedi, said funding at the tune of P6.5million has been allocated by MYSC to Southern District Council and consequently Moshupa Sub-Council who have been tasked to ensure implementation of the project.

He said the stadium tender was at the vetting stage, pending adjudication, adding that, the drawings were available.

“A waiver have been made for us not to do the environmental assessment, but to do the environmental plan,” he said.

He noted that although the processes was delayed, the project was ahead of other similar project around the country. Ends