Remarks by Khama at Botswana National Service Programme
Staff Writer | Wednesday April 2, 2014 16:10
For example we have the President’s Day Competition which allows youth to seek opportunities in the Arts which since 2013 has seen 14,061 participants, the Constituency Competition for the year 2013/14 with 203,830 participants, the CEDA Young Farmers Fund with 5,509 projects since inception, the Youth Development Fund with 3,871 projects since inception, Internship Programme for the year 2013/14 which has benefitted 4,000 participants, Back-to-School for the year 2013 with 33,044 learners and the Youth Expositions and capacity building boot camps which has benefitted 26,203 youths. Since 2013, 9,794 youths have been allocated land. Today 15,000 youths are being commissioned to serve in the National Service.
The theme for the 50 years of Independence “Botswana Pele” resonates very well with the principles of the Botswana National Service Programme that we are about to launch. In fact, the theme “Botswana First” is a call to service for all Batswana. An occasion such as this provides an opportunity for us to re-emphasise the very tenets upon which this nation was founded. Our contributions in society both as individuals and as a collective are defined by the values we uphold. Let me remind this gathering that the concept of volunteerism is not new in Botswana.
As I indicated when delivering the “State of the Nation Address in November 2013”, the National Service Programme will offer opportunities for unemployed people between the ages of 20 to 30 to assist in the provision of extension services within their localities. The programme will offer these young volunteers valuable experience that would heighten their opportunities for jobs and career paths in future with the exposure they will receive. The allowances they will receive and the setting aside of other finances to be given to them when they exit the programme will also afford them the opportunity to start up endeavours in their own areas of interest.
Young people have turned up in large numbers to register for the programme. However, given the limited resources we will start with an initial 15,000 young people this year. This being the first year, we intend reviewing the programme in the coming year to further improve on its operations and coverage and numbers.
I would like to appeal to the participants to act responsibly at their respective work attachment and serve their communities with “Botho”. As pioneers of this programme, we will rely on your feedback to improve it. You therefore have a huge responsibility placed on you to shape the development path for other young people who will serve after you. I now invite this gathering to bear witness as I commission the 15,000 young participants to serve in the various parts of Botswana. The 3,000 participants gathered in this hall today are part of this regiment which is ready to serve. Go out and serve this nation to the best of your abilities. I thank you. PULA