04 Aug 2024

First Lady, Ms Neo Masisi has lauded Motlaagana wa Banana Society for playing an active role in developing socio-economic status of the youth, girl-child and women to become a better version of themselves.

Speaking during the society’s 10th anniversary celebrations in Serowe on Friday, Ms Masisi said the organisation’s efforts were in line with her aspirations and deserved applause.

By creating a platform for graduates to utilise their skills and transform their lives, she said the organisation somehow augmented government’s efforts.

“Given that unemployment remains a challenge, vocational training is important at this point in time to counteract joblessness,” she said.

The First Lady said in a world where every child deserved an equal chance to thrive and succeed, empowering the girl child became a crucial mission, adding  that investing in their education, health, and well-being was not just a moral imperative but a strategic step towards building a more equitable and prosperous society.

She said the power of education was a cornerstone of empowerment for girls because they gained knowledge, skills and confidence to pursue their dreams, in the end,  breaking free from cycles of poverty that made them vulnerable to abuse.

Affirming the importance of education, Ms Masisi said ‘the good thing about education is that it is something that no one can take away from you’.

Motlaagana wa Banana Society is a non-profit making organisation formed in 2009 by a retired teacher, Ms Rebecca Motswetla. It was registered under registrar of societies in 2011 and opened doors to the public in 2014 with focus on empowering out of school youth with skills such as textile, bakery and catering among others.

Project coordinator, Ms Motswetla said her mission was to take youth out of the streets by engaging them in productive outcomes. She said her initiative was preserving talent for posterity through imparting life skills. She said if optimally harnessed, talent and skills had the potential to change the economic   landscape of Serowe District.

The graduates spoke fondly about the organisation, noting that it had transformed their lives for the better. 

They said young people with decent lives would be accelerators of peace and sustainable development within communities.

They were of the view that skills acquired would elevate them to greater heights if put to good use. 

The graduates included Mr Wedu Makoba who studied textile, Ms Melisa Sethaiso bakery, Ms Emily Botshelo textile and Ms Gonthaletse Ratau pottery.

BotswanaPost Foundation assisted the organisation with industrial machines to kick-start textile projects while Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa mines sponsored with industrial bakery equipment.

Themed: Pillar of Sustainable Youth and Skills Development Mindset Change and Future Innovation, the anniversary celebrations also  aimed to promote the organisation and create social awareness. Ends