16 Feb 2022

Projects funded through the Youth Development Fund (YDF) in the Tati East constituency have had their fair share of challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ministry of Youth, Empowerment Sport and Culture Development District Coordinator Ms Onthatile Takaruana said in an interview that most, if not all of them, had to close shop during lockdown, as they were not making enough profit to pay their employees nor service their YDF loan.

“YDF funded projects in Tati East have challenges just like any other business but they were adversely affected by the outbreak of COVID-19,” she said.

She, however, noted that owners of the few that were still operational were trying their best to ensure that their businesses stay afloat.

Ms Takaruana said even though some of the projects enjoyed the privileges of being in close proximity to Francistown in terms of market, the negative effects of the pandemic which led to closure of other big businesses had a trickle-down effect on such projects.

She said those involved in Information Technology (IT) like internet cafes were also quickly losing business as they were competing with the available free Wi-Fi services for domestic use.

She said since inception they had funded a total of 220 youth projects for Tati East constituency, adding that 67 of these projects operated within Tati Siding.

The projects include Zumpal, B-Mas Hair Salon, Curio Media Commons, Witlot Holdings, Viable work Investment.

Apart from COVID-19, she said, youth businesses were mostly hampered by shortage of land as most of them had ventured in the agricultural sector, which required land.

“Those in manufacturing and services face high rentals and stiff competition from well established businesses,” she said.

She noted that poor servicing of the YDF loan was a problem that cut across all the districts and Tati East constituency was no exception adding that there were a few beneficiaries who, though struggling with arrears, were trying to keep their end of the bargain by making payments towards their loan.

To assist these young entrepreneurs, she said, her office in collaboration with other district structures conducted market days for the small enterprises to market their products with the hope of attracting new market and to push sales of existing stock.

In addition, she said, government had introduced youth affirmative action which required that all government units’ reserve 20 per cent of their procurement for youth owned businesses.  ENDS