18 Apr 2024

Botswana Association of Local Authorities (BALA) youth commissioners have been urged to take the lead in ensuring that youth were positioned strategically to propel local development initiatives. 

Speaking at BALA youth commission workshop in Kasane on a`pril 17, BALA president, councillor Florah Mpetsane said an empowered youth had the potential to deliver aspirations of the national vision. 

“With the majority of Botswana’s population falling under youth bracket, this translates to you being the hope for a prosperous future as espoused by the national vision and it is your duty as civic leaders to take the lead in this transformation.” She said it was their responsibility as civil leadership to mobilise Batswana youth to harness available youth programs for economic benefit hence building robust local economies. 

Ms Mpetsane said the accomplishment of Botswana’s vision to migrate from a middle to a high income economy was dependent on enhanced technological skills which were mostly resident within the youth. She called councillors to mobilise youth to utilize Chema chema fund in their respective districts in order to build entrepreneurial mindset and promote growth for the informal SMME. 

Moreover she encouraged councilors to up-skill and develop themselves as they continued to advocate for youth development which she said would help them expand their career scope and add into their family and household success. 

BALA youth commission chairperson, councilor Collen Mochotlhi said the workshop was a platform for councillors and youth focal persons to discuss pressing issues affecting the youth in Botswana. 

He said the meeting was attended by commissioners from all the 31 districts with the aim to discuss and cultivate youth participation in socio-economic activities. 

He said as youth commissioners would device strategies to address challenges faced by young people in their respective districts and plan projects that contributed to the growth of youth in the country. Councilor Mochotlhi said during this workshop they would meet and interact with stakeholders like Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA), Local Economic Authority (LEA), Ministry of Youth, Gender Sport and Culture to discuss youth programs and amplify the voice of youth. Ends