MPs call for quality in youth projects
Keikantse Lesemela | Friday March 28, 2014 14:07
“We should not only talk about the number of projects but we should talk about their quality, without quality you are just a clown, we want quality products and services which also create quality jobs,” said Mabiletsa.
The MP for Tonota, Pono Moatlhodi also said the youth lack commitment in their businesses and most of them collapse, therefore the ministry should ensure that they provide mentoring and monitoring. “In my constitution their arrears reached P300,000. These are not grants, they are revolving loans which are supposed to be repaid”.
Presenting the committee of supply for the ministry on Monday, Kgathi said the Youth Development Fund continues to provide opportunities for self-employment for young people. He said 63 projects have been funded to the sum of P91.4 million, creating employment opportunities for 1,163 young people during 2013/214.
“I am generally satisfied with the level of uptake across the country”.
Kgathi explained that areas such as Gaborone, Selebi- Phikwe, Jwaneng and Chobe constituencies have consistently registered low numbers. “Youth in these areas have cited lack of operational space and unaffordable rentals as factors inhibiting their applications for funding”.
In the financial year 2013/14 government ministries have awarded a total of P109.8 million worth of tenders to youth-owned businesses. “We are hopeful that the introduction of the Local Procurement Scheme approved by government in July 2013 will improve market access for products from youth companies and in the process improve their performance”.
The scheme provides for 20 percent reservation of government micro procurement for youth, women and people with disabilities. “This initiative will go a long way in assisting the sustainability of youth-owned projects,” said Kgathi.
On the mainstreaming project Kgathi said 45 youth-owned projects have been funded by CEDA at a cost of P26 million, creating employment for 160 young people. He said during the period under review, the Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology awarded tenders valued at P32 million to 47 youth owned construction companies and 42 individual youth with vocational skills in construction.
Responding to the comments by MPs, Kgathi said the ministry is channeling the youth into centres of excellence. “These businesses are meant to kickstart programmes, they cannot be compared to big businesses.”