07 Jun 2022

Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture Mr Tumiso Rakgare has appealed to the youth to adopt mindset change attitude.

Speaking at a Youth Pitso in Goo-Tau on Friday, Minister Rakgare said the young people to be innovative and should desist  from toxic conversations especially those on Facebook.

 He encouraged the youth to utilise empowerment programmes for the betterment of their lives.

 “As government, we are not disputing that there is high unemployment rate, but at the same time we have availed opportunities for the youth through youth empowerment programmes. I therefore urge you to adopt the mind-set change attitude preached by the President lately. Change how you look at things, stop complaining and criticizing all the time,” said Mr Rakgare.

The  minister also expressed concern on how young people used Facebook, saying instead of spending time on Facebook for purposes of learning positive and beneficial things, most of young people spent a lot of time on trivia.

 On issues, Mr Rakgare promised residents that a sports facility for Tswapong region in the not so distant future.

He said the intention was to have commencement of the project before 2024. Mr Rakgare said Tswapong had immense football talent that needed to be nurtured, therefore construction of a sports facility was long overdue.

“This area has a good track record of producing football players of note from way back. There are a number of players from Tswapong who played professional football, including at national. Some are even now professional coaches,” he said.

Meanwhile, one of the youths, Mr Monkgosi Mosate decried lack of market for products they sold as small businesses as they competed with chain stores for same products.

Another youth, Mr Boitumelo Rapelang expressed dissatisfaction over the turnaround time for land boards to allocate him a business plot, which he said it had been four years now since he applied.

Mr Keitumetse Kolobetso appealed to the minister to consider a national annual poetry competition for them to benefit as poets of this country.

Ms Pula David complained about the process of acquiring a trading license, adding it was a bit of a hiccup.

Member of Parliament for Lerala-Maunatlala, Mr Setlhabelo Modukanele encouraged the youth not to despair and always take advantage of youth empowerment programmes. ENDs.