16 Mar 2020

Enterpreneurship by the youth will not only improve their lives, but also the economy and the livelihoods of all citizens, says Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Ms Peggy Serame.

Speaking at a constituency youth entrepreneurship seminar at Kagiso Senior Secondary School in Ramotswa on Saturday, Ms Serame said the seminar resonated with the government’s wish to diversify the economy through Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs).

“Inculcating the spirit of entrepreneurship in the youth is a welcome initiative as it will not only improve the lives of the individuals, but also the economy and eventually the livelihoods of all citizens,” she said.

She said the seminar offered a platform for networking and sharing ideas on business opportunities as well as meeting with service providers to have more insight on what they did. She urged young people to take advantage of such seminars.

The minister noted that her ministry’s responsibility was to  facilitate in the country as well as the development of sustainable industries and trade.

She also said there were a number of initiatives for the improvement of entrepreneurship and small medium enterprises that the youth could tap into.

She said the initiatives offered small medium enterprises targeted interventions to turn around their business into competitive and sustainable entities.

The minister said the interventions could be through provision of relevant infrastructure to enhance production, training and mentorship on new technologies and innovations to improve quality as well as linkages to markets and capacitation.

Member of Parliament for Ramotswa and Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, Mr Lefoko Moagi said the seminar provided the youth with an opportunity to network and learn from industry experts.

 Mr Moagi encouraged young people to pursue initiatives that could help build their businesses, adding that quality of producer and services was a must in business.

He said before success they would have to overcome challenges, adding that commitment and perseverance were key to the success of any business.

Kgosi Mosadi Seboko also encouraged young people to take advantage of the seminar, saying it had been her wish to have such a youth business seminar.

Kgosi Mosadi noted that young people faced unemployment challenges, saying the seminar could help if taken seriously.

She said some would not find employment and urged them to devise other means of making a living. The youth were also addressed by officials from Apex, Ticano, CEDA, Botswana Oil and Botswana Stock Exchange. Ends