06 Jun 2023

The Tokafala programme has been applauded for fostering the growth of small, medium and micro businesses in the country.

Tokafala is an enterprise development programme that helps entrepreneurs to develop their business, financial and marketing skills in order to build successful and sustainable businesses. The programme also assists unemployed youth to become economically active through supported sectors such as tourism, agro-processing, mining and textile.

Stakeholders expressed their appreciation during a graduation ceremony of some entrepreneurs who had completed an intensive training with Tokafala.

They noted that some entrepreneurs had shown growth and were playing a role in creating jobs and diversifying the economy.

North West District commissioner, Mr Thabang Waloka noted that Tokafala, through its Youth Development Programme, had assisted 235 young people to become economically active through enterprise development or employment.

Tokafala, he said, had also established partnerships with stakeholders to create employment, market goods as well as fund opportunities for the youth.

He also noted that 39 participants were graduating from the development programme.

He said the graduates had been equipped in personal and professional effectiveness as well as entrepreneurship development, and that they were ready to become active through formal employment or business start-ups.

Mr Waloka also noted that Tokafala had partnered with the Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB) to offer entrepreneurship development to small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) as well as the unemployed youth who wanted to be economically active.

The two organisations, he said, had mobilised 37 companies in Maun for 10 months of mentorship and monitoring. He said he was confident that the mentorship would go a long way in enhancing their business management skills.

Botswana Tourism Organisation development officer, Mr Thatayaone Mmapatsi also praised the Tokafala programme for being instrumental in the recovery of the tourism sector.  

He implored the graduates to acquaint themselves with new legislations so that they could succeed in their projects.

He noted the tourism policy of 2021 which emphasises product development and diversification as key drivers of growth within the tourism industry. Mr Mmapatsi also cited the Economic Inclusion Act of 2021 which promotes the participation of targeted citizens in the economic growth and development of the country.

Tokafala programme director, Ms Montle Phuthego explained that the programme was a collaboration between government, Debswana, De Beers and Anglo America. She said since inception it had enrolled 940 SMMEs of which 40 per cent were women enterprises. The programme, she noted, also supported the youth through a dedicated programme called youth development. ENDS