09 Jul 2023

Six hundred and nine Youth Development Fund applications were received in Jwaneng-Mabutsane constituency from the 2018 financial year to date, says Assistant Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, Mr Billy Buti.

Mr Buti said out of the 609 applications, 111 were funded from 2018 to date and that 102 were operational.

He said six projects had collapsed, two have transferred out of the constituency while one has closed as the beneficiary passed away. Mr Buti said his ministry had partnerships and collaborations with various stakeholders aimed at empowering and strengthening youth businesses to  minimise or avoid collapse.

He said it included intensified marketing, training, mentorship and coaching, including close monitoring of projects and affirmative action in favour of the youth.

“Various Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) and collaborations exist with partners for provision of capacity building, business support services, coaching and mentorship,” he said.

He said some of the partners included the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA), Botswana Accountancy College (BAC), University of Botswana, (UB-

Business Clinic, BUAN, (Centre for in-service and Continuing Education), Ministry of Agriculture, Botswana Open University, Tokafala and others.

MP for Jwaneng-Mabutsane constituency, Mr Mephato Reatile had asked the minister the number of applications for the Youth Development Fund (YDF) in  Jwaneng-

Mabutsane constituency from 2018 to date and the number of successful applications.

He also wanted to know the number of operating projects, the total number of failed and the strategies in place to revive the collapsed YDF projects. ENDS