31 Jul 2023

Young people must put to use any acquired skills to make a living. Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture Mr Billy Buti  made the call during the World Youth Skills Day commemoration held in Sepopa recently. 

“Young people should change their mindset and use policies and resources available as well as the Internet positively for entrepreneurship. ... Use the skills you have to achieve more, package those skills and market them profusely,” he said. 

He said youth had the potential to curb unemployment by producing permanent jobs through businesses such as manufacturing. 

Assistant minister Buti challenged the youth in Sepopa to use the rich culture in their district to create jobs and help diversify the economy. 

He also implored the community and government departments to support youth and women-owned businesses. 

For his part, Botswana National Youth Council (BNYC) deputy board chairperson, Mr Mooketsi Rakose said according to the quarterly Multi Topic Survey, youth unemployment rate in the fourth quarter of last year was estimated at 33.5 per cent. 

Mr Rakose said that World Youth Skills Day was commemorated with the aim to equip youth with skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship. 

Earlier when welcoming participants, Kgosi Tholego Nyame of Sepopa thanked the ministry for hosting the event in his village. 

Kgosi Nyame also appreciated the week-long training on food processing that some youth undertook prior to the commemoration, saying it would help them start own businesses. Ends