Let The Spark In Youth Glow: The Voice Of
Correspondent | Monday June 27, 2016 14:29
Iwould like to acknowledge the community for letting me represent the youth and giving me the platform to share the perspective of the youth as Botswana turns 50 years as an independent state and I would sincerely plead with The Editor to afford me a space in the newspaper for national audience. The youth need to realise that they have the potential to change the world, to play a unique role as Botswana celebrates her Golden Jubilee hence allow me to provide the energy to light the spark in fellow youth.
The avenue to self-determination is critical, so does its celebration because the right form of government should be appreciated. The roving torch that is travelling all over Botswana has proved to be a uniting force that has brought communities together, it is unity that fuels peace, cooperation, tolerance and tranquillity and this features need to applied in everyday life for democratic consolidation.
I have witnessed the community of Machaneng and neighbouring villages collectively preparing for the arrival of the roving torch, they spent prolonged hours offering their earnest resources both sentimental and physical. I was inspired and hoped such commitment shall prevail beyond.
As per stanzas of Botswana’s National anthem declare: Botswana in its sovereignty is a legacy inherited from our forefathers who played a crucial role in securing the land and democratic principles that have enforced economic, political and social stability.
Well said and more can be said looking backwards, 50 years aback a lot has been achieve. And it cannot end there: the wheel is rolling. It is time for introspection as we move forward as a nation 50 years and older. What kind of legacy will future generations inherit?
The centre of the question should be directed to the youth. Bringing Masire’s words into play, the youth ought to appreciate their uniqueness in the world. For the world is a mosaic of unique creatures, and human beings been distinctive and supreme of all the creatures on planet earth. Set above all creatures, each individual has a unique identity as finger prints of each individual do not have a replica. The statement figurative and contextualising reads as thus, Each individual has a role to play during their lifetime, an exceptional role with a inimitable solution to the world.The Uniqueness in Us, especially the youth is not utilised. Talent, skill, capability and expertise do not offer solution to the world as we hope to achieve extra-ordinary results while we are investing ordinary inputs. Directing the scope to Botswana’s democracy, it is the Seretse Khama in his youthful years that learnt the British style of governance and years later co-founded a sustainable democratic government. Our forefathers secured a peaceful environment which we inherited at no cost of blood-spill. Much of progress has been established in terms of governance, but the role of the youth in the process of governance has not been explored.
The youth are marginalised in the political process and such governance can be deemed representative as per the democratic requisite. I am sure this is not rocket science discovery as we all know that youth are marginalised yet it is us youth who have embraced the illusion that we are leaders of tomorrow. That is absurd and demeaning, self-demeaning rather, because fellow youth accept that statement.
We cannot be leaders of tomorrow when have unique packages to offer to the country today. We have the potential and that is undisputable. Our talents, skills or expertise that we have not been fully utilised, and there are independent and dependent sources of such opportunity cost. Just on the surface of the solutions we have the power to change external forces that hold down our progression yet we do not seek ways to maximise the right and opportunity to vote. It has been affirmed that each individual carries a spark to be lit and glow for the world to see the talent in each one of us. We have been educated with ease, we have our minds to think of ways we can be engaged, we have each other for support just to mention a few but all has gone to waste.
As Botswana turns 50 years, the significance of today’s youth is at its peak and it is upon the youth to confiscate the baton and lead Botswana towards 100 years creating for the legacy of the future generation as it lies on them, on US.
Today’s youth are the centre of Bot50, they should offer unique ideas moving forward and relay the country success to the next generation. Yes the youth can make it; they can be entrusted with the accumulated legacy. It is high time we accept responsibility as youth because we have the potential to lead. LIGHT THE SPARK IN YOU SO THAT THE WORLD CAN SEE HOW GLOWING WE ARE AS A NATION... PULA!!
*Thabiso Titus Paul is Political Science and Economics Graduate, Founder of Machaneng Achievers Association and Social Entrepreneur