31 Aug 2026

Okavango District Council (ODC) chairman Mr Ronald Gaopalelwe says youth unemployment is a major concern faced by the district which was over 36 per cent according to the District Development Committee (DDC) report.

Opening a full council meeting recently, Mr Gaopalelwe Ronald said there was need for concerted efforts by the council and stakeholders in addressing unemployment. He said council should support initiatives providing  youth with entrepreneurship and employment opportunities.

“We should explore partnerships with the private sector and other stakeholders to expand opportunities for youth participation in agriculture, tourism, construction, renewable energy and other emerging sectors”, he said.

Mr Ronald said skills development and labour intensive community projects provided opportunities for young people, adding that from the 2023 to date 107 people graduated from Ikageng Skills Development programme across Okavango District in projects such as brick laying and roads pavement.

Meanwhile, Mr Ronald commended Tawana Land Board for allocating five campsites in the NG 12 concession to five Village Development Committees (VDCs) of Seronga, Gunotsoga, Eretsha, Beetsha and Gudigwa.

He said the campsites provided an opportunity for the five villages to seek business and investment partnerships which would help with employment creation especially for women and youth. Commenting, Okavango District Council (ODC) Leader of Opposition, and also nominated councilor Mr Lekonne Masoko said that Okavango District had high youth unemployment as stressed by the statistics of over 36 per cent in the District Development Committee report. 

He therefore said the district leadership should focus efforts towards combating youth

unemployment. He said it was also important for data availability of small-micro enterprises (informal sector) to guide future programmes.

Further, Mr Masoko said the ODC should capitalise on its natural resources to create opportunities for the district.

 He said Okavango District had two world heritage sites of Tsodilo Hills and the Okavango Delta which were well recognised internationally hence had potential to offer profit making streams.

Councilor for Beetsha-Gudigwa Mr Molatlhegi Moyei also appreciated  Tawana Land Board for allocation of five campsites to the villages in his constituency. 

He said the move was a positive development which would immensely contribute to rural development, adding that the Council should provide relevant guidance to the five VDCs on how to optimally benefit from the campsites. ENDS