03 Sep 2013

Youth in Botswana have been urged to discover and make a living out of their talents.

Addressing residents of Mosolotshane and Moralane in the Shoshong constituency, the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Shaw Kgathi urged youth to discover and use their talents to earn a better living.

Kgathi said Botswana had many young and talented but poor people because most of them preferred white collar jobs to blue collar ones. He said young people needed to appreciate that , “we are different people with different talents and gift and that some people have to do technical work.”

The minister said youth needed to be empowered to understand and value their talents as that could afford them opportunity to a better life. He gave an example of Shumba Ratshega and Slizer who used their voices and dance skills to make money.

He urged youth to look upon them as role models and as proof that non white collar jobs could bring in money. Kgathi said exploration and use of young talent could go a long way in helping to prevent anti-social behaviour such as alcohol and drug abuse.

He called for a sports festival during wellness day by the office of the district commissioner in constituencies to encourage the youth to learn more about arts and sports so they may eventually be able to choose a career path that is compatible with their talents.

On other issues, Kgathi decried moral decay in many communities and called on parents to give direction to their children and help turn them into responsible citizens. ENDS