16 Feb 2014

Parliament has been informed that the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture does not transfer projects funded by the Youth Development Fund (YDF) to the relevant portfolio ministry.

Responding to a question from the MP for Kanye South, Mr Abram Kesupile, the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Mr Shaw Kgathi explained that in view of the cross-cutting nature of youth issues, officials in his ministry worked closely with relevant ministries to assist with project appraisals, monitoring and post-funding capacity building.

He said once the project was funded and matured out to the grace period, the young person concerned would be left to run his/her business independently.

However, Minister Kgathi explained that the young person would still be free to approach any government department for assistance such as the Department of Veterinary Services in case of livestock projects.

MP Kesupile had asked the minister the criteria used to transfer a youth project funded by his ministry to the relevant portfolio ministry and the length of time generally taken before subjecting the project to the set criteria. The legislator had also wanted to know what happens to a project that does not satisfy the set criteria.Ends