29 Mar 2021

Young people funded through Youth Development Fund have been implored to service their loans. 

Speaking during a tour of YDF funded projects in Masunga and Makaleng over the weekend the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Mr Tumiso Rakgare stated that it was important that beneficiaries serviced loans so that the funds could also benefit other youth who had applied for funding.

Mr Rakgare commended youth for their resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic especially those who were running projects directly affected by the pandemic such as gyms and salons.

He encouraged the beneficiaries to approach youth offices in the North East District to share their challenges such as shortage of land so that they could assist to ensure projects do not fail.

The minister further encouraged the business owners to be innovative and come up with ways that would attract customers to their businesses.

Mr Refilwe Dube of Dream shelter brick moulding in Masunga stated that his project was performing well and that he intended to extend to a hardware.

He said he started his brick moulding business at home before he was funded through YDF in 2016, which enabled him to buy more equipment.

Mr Dube said through the years, his project soared to success and was able to employ 15 young people.

However he said he would like to have an operational space of his own as he was currently renting. 

He said the place was even small for a brick moulding business.

Furniture 5 Investment’s Mr Tefo Rampogo stated that the support from government entities was lacking.  

He said with his experience he expected schools and offices to engage him to repair their furniture to save from buying new furniture. 

Mr Rampogo indicated that rentals in Masunga were high, adding that property owners always increased rent when they noticed that youth projects were doing well.

He highlighted that his business was funded in 2018 and its services included upholstery, welding,  fixing and making new furniture.

Mr Goomana Onosi of Onosi fitness services stated that there was a market Masunga but most people preferred running beside the road instead of going to fitness centres.

He said added that his gym had suffered a big blow due to COVID-19.  

Mr Onosi who was also funded in 2018, reiterated that rental was expensive especially during a pandemic when they did not make much.

He highlighted that he received support from the ministry Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development and other government departments to offer fitness classes during wellness days before COVID-19 pandemic. 

Ms Thato Botlhoko of Extra heavy duty salon in Makaleng said businesses was doing well despite having suffered a loss during the lockdown last year.

The business co-owner Ms Gosaitse Phetogang stated that a hair salon was a lucrative business because people maintained their hair regularly.

She said despite challenges faced last year they did not despair as they continued to work hard to ensure a successful story.

Tati West MP Mr Simon Moabi asked the youth to take their businesses seriously, adding that they should submit company profiles whenever requested to do so.

He further asked the business owners to payback their outstanding loans so that the funds could assist other youths awaiting to be funded.  Ends