12 Feb 2013

An official of the Botswana National Youth Council (BNYC) , Mr Motshegwe Thekiso says inadequate budget hampers the council’s ambition to reach many young people and attend to their needs.

Mr Thekiso was speaking during the budget speech review meeting recently organised by Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organization (BOCONGO) in Lobatse.

Mr Thekiso said BNYC had been allocated P5 million, which he said was not sufficient to cater for youth population and hoped this time the budget would be increased.

“We are unable to empower young persons and yet it is our mandate to address, facilitate and coordinate matters relating to youth development and I wish the council would be given a better share of the cake this time.”

BNYC is responsible for lobbying and advocating for development policies and programmes affecting the youth as well as give advice to  government on matters relating to youth development.

Mr Thekiso complained that unlike with the previous years , the finance minister, Mr Kenneth Mathambo did not state the budget allocation for the youth ministry for the year 2013/14 .

“Let 2013 be a different year for the council as it is our aim to empower, disseminate information and sensitise young people about good programmes in place,” he added.

 Mr Thekiso appreciated efforts made by some ministries such as State President and Infrastructure, Science and Technology in introducing programmes aimed at empowering and developing the youth.

He welcomed the freelancers programme under Office of the President where graduates were given an opportunity to write stories for the DailyNews. In addition, he said the Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology had reserved a certain percentage of its tenders for youth. He expressed optimism that other ministries would emulate these ministries.

He also said the Youth Fund Development programme which had a ceiling of P100 000 could be reviewed since it did not fully address problems faced by the youth.

He therefore suggested that instead of giving the whole P100 000 to one an individual , the money should be given to a group of young people to fund their project.  ENDS