13 Jul 2021

A peaceful and secure Botswana requires an empowered generation of youth therefore investing in young people is an investment for peace, says Vice President Slumber Tsogwane.

He said this in Gaborone yesterday when officially launching a strategic framework for First Lady Neo Masisi’s role  as UNAIDS empowerment and engagement of young people in Botswana special ambassador.

Mr Tsogwane said  investment in youth should extend to prioritisation of economic reforms, accelerated job creation  and other profitable undertakings as well as optimisation of value for money to create a globally competitive workforce.

He stated that political will to support investment in young people existed in Botswana.

Mr Tsogwane described the framework as a beacon and confirmation of Botswana’s commitment not only to fighting HIV/AIDS but a holistic approach to youth development.

He said the framework, which was aligned to national and international commitments on HIV, supported existing programmes.

The First Lady’s work, through the framework, was not intended to duplicate existing programmes or encroach into others’ mandates, he stated.

Instead, he explained, it was meant to be an advocacy voice to support efforts and investments already made in the area of youth development.

Further, Mr Tsogwane said the framework was aimed at removing bottlenecks, building synergies among multi-sectoral partners and promoting a conducive environment for collaboration.

He said its  strategic actions were purely advocacy for increased investments, accountability and partnerships.  

Implementation of the framework would not be in isolation, he said.

The vice president gave assurance of his office’s support and President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi‘s blessings.

He pointed out that President Masisi was a Generation Unlimited advocate for all the world’s young people to be in education, training or employment by 2030.

Applauding the First Lady for her efforts towards  making the country safe,  Mr Tsogwane described Ms Masisi as a true champion  and commended the UN Joint Programme for HIV/AIDS for appointing her special ambassador.

For his part, Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Edwin Dikoloti said the strategy was timely given that the world continued to witness more and more health challenges affecting the quality of life.

He said HIV/AIDS remained a great human development challenge with the 10-24 age group, especially adolescent girls and young women, among the most affected populations.

Dr Dikoloti commended Ms Masisi for working towards ensuring that Botswana became a better place for adolescent girls and young women who were in most cases the most vulnerable.

He said the framework would contribute a lot in enhancing development of youth into people capable of running the country’s affairs with excellence and integrity in future.  

“May this not be just a launch but let it be a foundation on which advocating for the rights and health of young people would be anchored,” he said.

Minister Dikoloti appealed to the private sector to come on-board and assist government by supporting the framework for optimal reach and engagement of young people. Ends