30 Nov 2022

According to the Quarterly Multi-Topic Survey( QMTS) of quarter 4 of 21, the number of young people aged 18-35 years was estimated at 9 842 in Selebi Phikwe.

In response to a question in Parliament, Minister of Finance Ms Peggy Serame said out of 9 842, there were 3 819 who were unemployed while 274 were underemployed.

She noted that there was no data indicating those that were categorised as poor by educational level or qualification and said this could be considered in the next Botswana Multi-Topic Household survey.

However, she said out of the estimated 3 819 unemployed youth, a total of 2 616 had completed secondary school while 1 203 were reported to have completed tertiary education.

She also said the number of youths aged 18 to 35 years in the country was estimated at 717 986, of which 164 071 were reported to be unemployed while 21 815 were reported to be under-employed.

To address unemployment, Minister Serame said government continued to come up with programmes and policies that facilitated job opportunities.

Such programmes include  Youth Development Fund, reduced tendering fees for the youth, value chain development and others.

“Government continues to create a conducive environment through the revision of laws and regulations to enhance private sector participation so they create sustainable jobs,” she said.

She said government recently introduced Horticulture Impact Accelerator Subsidiary Programme coupled with various import restrictions.

The Selebi Phikwe citrus project, she said, was expected to assist in diversifying the country’s agro-industry and generate other business opportunities such as fruit preservation through drying, fresh produce as well as transport and logistics.

Other projects in Selebi Phikwe included Oxygen Gas, a wholly citizen-owned company and Kemcore,  which was a joint venture that would have production plants completed in December and October 2023 respectively while the refurbishment of the bus/taxi terminal and development of a commercial centre was expected to be completed by July 2024.

The projects were expected to bring in about P531 million worth of investment and around 1 000 jobs in the region.

Ms Serame said two more projects were to be launched in the SPEDU region before the end of 2022/2023 financial year, which were the maize snacks and steel products projects.

The projects were both likely to contribute P90 million worth of investment and around 300 jobs, help in the reduction of the import bill, attract foreign and domestic investment as well as support value chains.

Minister Serame was answering questions from the Member of Parliament for Selebi Phikwe West Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse, who wanted to know the number of young people aged 8-32 in that town, the number of those who were unemployed, underemployed and those categorised as poor.

Mr Keorapetse also wanted to know policy interventions in place, their impact in Selebi Phikwe and if government considered unemployment benefit or allowance for all unemployed Batswana.

Mr Keorapetse also wanted to know the number of unemployed Batswana in the country. Ends