18 Sep 2019

Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology, Mr Thapelo Olopeng says multipurpose cooperative societies are among many streams meant to empower communities.

Speaking during the launch of the Tonota Sub-district multi-purpose cooperative society in Tonota, Mr Olopeng said 25 businesses had already registered with the cooperative.

 He said the cooperative was going to be run through phases, and that Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMESs) like poultry and gardening would be given first priority to avoid their downfall.

“The cooperative is going to partner with existing businesses and come up with best practices to ensure viability,” he said.

Mr Olopeng also explained that the cooperative was going to be run through a board of directors that would help ensure success. “Research was conducted and it came to light that poor management was the primary cause of the downfall of many SMMEs hence bringing in the expertise of the board members would go a long way in ensuring the success of the cooperative,” he said.

The minister urged the youth to take advantage of the venture to improve their livelihoods.

Giving a keynote address, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Ms Bogolo Kenewendo said they wanted to commercialise the skills of Batswana and sell such skills to the international markets.

She said her ministry has strategies in place through Botswana Export Development and Investment Authority (BEDIA) to achieve export development and investment promotion.

Ms Kenewendo said there was need for Batswana to grow the economy and create the much needed employment.

The minister encouraged everyone to make products that could sustain the economy and also be sold internationally.

She also encouraged Tonota residents to engage in business ventures that could help grow and support the cooperative. ends