08 Nov 2020

Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Mr Tumiso Rakgare said he was impressed by projects funded by his ministry in Kasane.

Mr Rakgare, accompanied by assistant minister Mr Billy Buti, the ministry’s permanent secretary, Mr Kago Ramokate and other officials, toured projects on November 7.

 Speaking in an interview, the minister noted that beneficiaries were determined to thrive amid COVID-19 and needed support from all stakeholders to stay afloat.

He appreciated Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) for playing a crucial role in supporting projects funded by youth empowerment ministry and called other government departments to follow suit. Mr Rakgare said with cooperation, Batswana owned businesses could not only improve livelihoods of beneficiaries, but could also boast the country’s economy though exportation of products.

He noted that it was heart-warming to see beneficiaries such as Mr Ditso John, who was funded for a horticulture project in Old Kazungula, managed not only to employ two other others, but also managed to build a two roomed house and electrified it. 

He urged beneficiaries to not only target the local market but to also expand and aim for the international market. 

The minister said it was government commitment to eradicate COVID-19 and ensure that everything goes back to pre-COVID-19 normal.

He said part of the ministry’s efforts to make youth funded projects stay afloat during COVID-19 was to extend the loan payment grace period and to support where possible, those whose businesses were operation. 

He said during his trip in Kasane the entourage lodged at Lucky Bush Camp, a youth funded facility in the outskirts of Lesoma. The entourage visited six projects, four funded through Youth Development Fund (YDF), and two self-funded. 

The Minister also toured a 16-hectare piece of land near Chobe Junior Secondary School reserved for the P10 million district stadium.

One of the YDF funded projects, Netha Translation Agency PTY LTD in Kazungula was funded in the previous financial year but could not commence business due to COVID-19 as the projects depends solely on workshops and seminars.

According to the beneficiary, Mr Thabo Sekhambo the agency offers translation services on French, Chinese and Portuguese and conference equipment hire. 

He said it was funded at P99 900 which was used to purchase simultaneous conference equipment for translation. 

He appealed for support from government departments and corporate organisations adding with his equipment it was easier to adhere to COVID-19 social distancing protocols as clients using such equipment would not share a microphone. Another project visited was The Colour Wheel Day Care Centre in Botshabelo owned by Ms Emily Phiri. 

The project was funded at the tune of P99 865 and commenced operation on October 5. 

Ms Phiri said the day care centre enrolled toddlers from 18 months to six years, and in addition to academics they offered swimming, cooking, art and computer skills at a fee of P1 000 per month. 

She said currently the centre had 12 kids, and intended to market it so as to operate at full capacity. The centre has employed four youths. 

Other projects visited are a self-funded dressmaking project belonging to Ms Julia Kwele in Plateau, Ms Kedirileng Madwala’s bakery in Kazungula funded by YDF in the 2018/19 financial year and Ms Esther Masiziane’s self-funded pottery project in Kazungula.  Ends