28 Jan 2025

The L.E.A.D (Learn, Engage, Act, Develop) Forum that was recently hosted by the Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs has underscored the importance of engaging the youth in decision making, providing platform for the youth to voice their concerns about issues that deeply impact their lives. 

Themed: My Voice Matters, the forum gathered multitudes of young people both in-person and online to discuss pertinent issues faced by the youth such as unemployment, mental health, and gender-based violence, education and entrepreneurship. 

The Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs, Ms Lesego Chombo, engaged the youth through a panel discussions and question and answer sessions. 

Ms Chombo said the forum was a platform for real conversations that led to meaningful action. 

She also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing the needs of young people and amplifying their voices in national discourse. 

“We have the tools, skills, and resources within ourselves to improve our lives. Through collaborations and leveraging our collective potential, we can create self-sustaining initiatives that drive social change and economic development in our communities,” she said. 

The gathering discussed among others, the urgent need for stronger consequence management within government to enhance efficiency and accountability through the establishment of policy windows that mandates follow-ups within 10 working days. 

This initiative, she said, was to ensure that government actions aligned with the set timelines, increasing accountability and ensuring timely decision-making impetus to prompt response to critical issues affecting communities. 

Youth advocate, Mr Kagiso Morokotso said there was a need to push for greater youth inclusion in public procurement. 

Mr Morokotso said 20 per cent of Botswana’s public procurement should be reserved for youth-driven businesses. 

This move, he said, would provide a financial boost to young entrepreneurs while contributing to the overall growth of Botswana’s economy. 

He, however, said it was important to ensure proper implementation of mechanisms to prevent misuse and ensure equitable access. 

The forum also highlighted the untapped potential of remote work, which could become a powerful tool for both the public and private sector.

Through remote work, government could increase productivity, reduce operational costs, and offer greater flexibility for the workforce.

With the ongoing digital transformation, remote work was identified as a low-hanging fruit that could drive significant economic and social benefits. Moreover, there was a strong call for the government to reconsider Botswana’s borders and their impact on economic growth.

Participants advocated for expanding access to regional markets, which would facilitate cross-border trade and open new opportunities for businesses in Botswana. 

This move, they argued, could stimulate the national economy and create jobs for the young people. 

The Minister of Sports and Arts, Mr Jacob Kelebeng, underscored resilience and the belief that young people can overcome challenges to achieve their full potential. 

Reflecting on his experiences, Mr Kelebeng encouraged youth to take a stand and actively participate in shaping their future. 

“As young people, we have the power to change our lives but we must take responsibility for our actions and decisions.” he said. 

Mr Kelebeng also highlighted the efforts of his ministry in integrating youth and women into its policies.

He emphasised the importance of mainstreaming young people in all aspects of governance from policy development to implementation, ensuring that their voices are heard and their needs addressed.

In line with this, the minister urged for more meaningful youth engagement in national decision-making processes, stressing the critical role of awareness and education. 

He also called for greater collaboration between ministries to address the intersectional issues that affect young people. 

“Challenges such as mental health, unemployment, and gender-based violence often overlap, and only through a holistic approach can sustainable solutions be found. When the youth are aware of the roles and responsibilities of the various stakeholders, they can direct their ideas, comments, and questions more effectively,” he noted. 

Stakeholders acknowledged that government plays a pivotal role in creating an enabling environment, but it must also ensure that public servants are motivated and well supported to deliver quality services. 

Addressing the wellbeing of public service employees was identified as a crucial factor in ensuring effective service delivery.

Participants emphasised the need for policy reform that aligns with the ever-changing dynamics of the job market. 

Innovations such as remote work, digital entrepreneurship, and technology-driven industries are to be integrated into national policies to ensure that Botswana’s workforce is future-ready. 

Minister Chombo said her ministry was committed to empowering the youth through initiatives such as the L.E.A.D platform.

She reaffirmed her dedication to creating meaningful change for young people, encouraging them to take an active role in shaping their futures, thus driving transformative change for themselves and their nation. ENDS