12 Nov 2020

A group of young people from Otse have formed an economic empowerment group dubbed Otse Innovation Centre as part of interventions to address problems faced by the community.

 Despite being in its infancy, barely a month old, the group is already piloting four projects of plastic mould bricks, incubator, bicycle carrier and a mobile picnic shelter.

The group’s Innovation Manager, Mr Barack Mosige, said all their projects were aimed at addressing community problems as well as generating income for its members.

He said the idea of plastic bricks, which would be used mostly for decoration was conceived to address the issue of environmental pollution.

The manager said the youthful group moulds them to make various kinds of bricks adding that their research had shown that such bricks were used for building houses in some countries.

As for the bicycle carrier, he said the group had realised that the Otse community made frequent trips to their lands using bicycles.

He said the carrier was designed to assist the farmers transport their luggage safely to and from the lands.

Another intervention by the group was that of an incubator, to be used to support upcoming poultry farmers.

The group also has designed a mobile picnic shelter for those who love with outings.

Another group member, Ms Loago Mosige said the main challenge in their desire to succeed was lack of resources.

She said Otse Innovation Center came into existence after a two weeks training by, These Hands GSSE, which was a social enterprise that trained and supported grassroots innovators in developing countries. 

She said through the help of These Hand GSSE, the young people were trained on welding and carpentry.

Further, Ms Mosige said These Hand GSSE also assisted with materials for doing the samples of the products they intended to do for the community.

Kgosi Mothusi Tsetse commended the youth for coming up with such initiative, saying their interventions would come handy for the Otse community.

He encouraged the group to embrace diversity of views adding that the village leadership would always help when the need arises.

Kgosi Tsetse said it was his desire to see Otse Innovation Centre growing and creating employment opportunities for other young people. Ends