16 May 2022

 Following the recent Forbes under 30 youth summit,  the trickle down effects are slowly showing as yet another youth development and leadership forum was hosted in Molepolole. 

Powered by Limkokwing university and supported by local enterpreneurs and civic leaders, the summit held under the theme “ Fostering youth development for a more inclusive and sustainable development of Africa” had invited youth of Molepolole from all walks of life.

Various industry leaders from various sectors of the economy ranging from arts, sport, business and agriculture graced the event and led panel discussions on different topics.

Addressing the participants, area MP and also minister for state president Mr Kabo Morwaeng said the theme was undoubtedly well thought of, as government was of the view that youth formed the majority of the general population totalling 60 percent. 

“It is therefore imperative that they are given opportunities to partake in decision making at policy level, community participation as well as practising enterpreneurs.”

Further he emphasized that sustainable development could only be meaningful if it was planned and undertaken with young people in mind. In that regard, he said the summit acted as a base for youth inclusivity in development planning. He further implored youth not to despair and continue chasing after their dreams and aspirations.

Conference director Mr Moemedi Kedisitse said the objective of the summit was to empower young people and ignite their potential.  Also, he cited that the summit was provoked by youth marginalization in the mainstream economy which led them to establish fora where they could speak and be heard.

One of the panelists from the sport fraternity Ms Francinah Eyman who is also interim Botswana Netball Association president said sport had the power to foster social integration, promote peace and create jobs.  She urged youth to participate in sport as many opportunities existed within sport.  

Areas that could be explored she mentioned professional sport, sponsorship, dual career pathways, sport science and sport medicine adding that some of these were untapped. “We need radical mindset change towards sport and we must invest heavily on sport as it has the potential to create opportunities,” she said. She urged young people to “ participate in their own rescue,” saying no one owed them anything.

Another panelist Maxwell Dichi a local actor in one of the popular South African soapies, Generations the legacy said, “Our forefathers preserved culture and heritage. It is upon us to take it to the rest of the world using 21st century tools and platforms.”

Communications guru Mr Tiro Kganela also a panelist observed that young people yearned to improve the quality of their lives and yet they were handicapped by their displeasure to read and inform themselves yet there was a whole lot more out there.

However, he said a skills audit was needed to be carried out so that young people could be positioned in the right places.

Meanwhile Change Africa Founding Director Mr Kaene Disepo differed with other speakers saying government was not very intentional in including young people in decision making citing that there was a huge disconflict in young people influencing policy makers. 

Therefore he was of the view that youth needed to be at the forefront in decision making so that decisions were not imposed in them. Kweneng Business council chairperson Ms Priscilla Sibisibi encouraged participants already in business to join Business Botswana citing advantages such as advocacy and skills development for both employers and employees. 

She introduced the three tier structures of Business Botswana at lower level being local consultative council, ministrial consultative council and high level consultative council which is chaired by the president.

Area councillor and also an entrepreneur Mr Jeffery Sibisibi applauded the organizers  for hosting such an event and having invited facilitators of high caliber. He stated that he had observed that during the summit messaging on policy was not communicated by politians but by practioners who endured daily challenges on the business space. 

This he said would enable participants to uderstand the message better. BOPA