Botswana Youth Awards are back
Spira Tlhankane | Wednesday February 3, 2016 18:00
In an interview, the founder of Remmogo Group Botswana, Kagiso Morebodi, said the main objective of these awards was to recognise and reward individuals and organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to youth development. He said young people made more than 50 percent of the population and should therefore be recognised in many ways.
Inaugural awards were held in 2014. The awards were meant to be annual but did not take place last year. Now, organisers are planning the second edition this year. Morebodi said the main reason is to recognise young people who are shining in sports, business, ICT and others.
“We are celebrating 50 years as Botswana this year, so we want to reflect and celebrate our own struggles, achievement and freedom,” he said.
Morebodi said young people go through challenges such as high unemployment rate, HIV/AIDS, indulgence in criminal activities, poverty and substance abuse.
“Despite these challenges, there are young people who are making a difference in the society and need to be rewarded,” he said.
Of the 11 categories, some are: best youth in innovation, which encompasses arts and entertainment; best youth in business; best media house addressing youth issues; best youth in community volunteerism and best youth in academic excellence.
Otyhers are: best youth activist; best youth in global issues; best organisation supporting youth development; best youth living with disability and best youth of the year. Morebodi said the idea was for every category to have an award.
Morebodi said they would launch the awards end of February. Nominations are open to everyone. He added that organisers wanted to work with the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture to distribute the nomination forms.
Morebodi said Remmogo All Stars have produced a theme song for the awards. The song features MMP Family, Frost and Gaone of Kopisa fame. “It’s a motivational happy song under the theme and it celebrates success,” he said. Morebodi said this year’s awards are different because they are connected to the BOT50 celebrations.
“We can’t celebrate 50 years and not recognize young people,” he said.
He said Remmogo Group Botswana did not host the awards last year because they wanted to fully prepare for this year’s awards. He said they were negotiating with various stakeholders to sponsor the event.