16 Oct 2013

It is commendable to see students undertake programmes that improve lives, says Ms Oshadi Tlhalerwa, councillor for Madiba in Mahalapye.

Speaking during the hand-over of a tuck shop built for Ms Keitathe Masebe, a needy resident of Madiba ward recently, Cllr Tlhalerwa applauded the students and expressed happiness on seeing students, leaders and members of the community working together to improve and develop the lives of other Batswana.

The tuck shop was built by students of development studies at Madiba Senior Secondary School. Cllr Tlhalerwa said the future greatness of a person became noticeable at a young age. By carrying out the project, she said, the students demonstrated characteristics of leadership.

She said she wished the business would develop and grow into something bigger with time. She told the students about citizen economic empowerment programmes such as the Integrated Support Programme for Arable Agriculture Development and the Livestock Management and Infrastructure Development. After completing school, she said, the students could exploit such programmes for self-employment.

“The future is in your hands, take what you have learnt and improve your lives and the economy of this country,” she said.

The Head of Department for Development Studies, Mr Kabo Modiitsane, said in the subject, the students were taught development and self-reliance. Mr Modiitsane said the subject was no longer research-based but it taught students to come up with different ways of survival and implement them.

The purpose was to impart entrepreneurial skills on the students. The beneficiary of the project, Ms Masebe acknowledged the students and members of the community for the assistance.

She expressed delight and vowed to work hard to maintain the business so that it could support her family. A representative of the students, Mr Tiroyaone Dikupa, explained that they were first given donation forms to seek aid from the community and local businesses. Each student had to raise P100.

He stated that with the amount they gathered they went on to build the foundation and then designed and mounted the tuck shop before stocking it. He said all the work was done by the students. Ends