04 Aug 2026

Youth have been cautioned against dependency on the Ipelegeng programme as it is a temporary safety net for those without any means of income. 

The Francistown West Member of Parliament, also Assistant Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr Ignatius Moswaane cautioned the youth in his constituency during a one-day Youth Development Forum held in Gerald Estate on Monday.

He said the tendency of the youth to treat Ikageng programme as a source of income should end, warning that over-reliance on the programme was unsustainable even if government increased the allowance.

He urged the youth to utilise other government programmes such as CEDA and the Youth Development Fund to start businesses, and warned them against people who mislead them that they would go to prison for failing to repay loans. Mr Moswaane also advised the youth to reduce the time they spend on Facebook.

Also addressing the forum, Principal Technical Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Ishmael Balolami, said the Artificial Insemination (AI) training fee had been increased to P4,520 advising that those trained could offer AI services as a business.

Senior Agricultural Engineer, Mr Resego Thebe, encouraged youth to form associations and venture into vegetable production using methods such as tunnel farming for better production and eventually reducing the import bill. Gerald Estate Court President, Kgosi Motlatsi Kediseng said crime was on the rise in the area due to unemployment.

Some participants also shared their views. Ms Lilian Zwitebu, agreed that the Ikageng allowance was only a stop-gap measure, with most of it going towards basic necessities almost immediately.

While Mr Aobakwe Jack said he used Facebook to improve his life and also urged his peers to use it productively. Mr Cowboy Mabiza expressed disappointment that many youths did not attend the forum, adding that as such, they had missed an opportunity that could have added value to their lives.

The purpose of the forum was to equip the youth with information on government programmes and alternative opportunities for self-employment and sustainable livelihoods. ENDS