Youth Call For Re-opening Of Centre

Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Monday August 21, 2017 16:48

Speaking during a Kgotla meeting addressed by Member of Parliament for Gaborone Bonnington South, Ndaba Gaolathe at Bophirima ward, Mothibi said since the closure of the National Youth Centre, incidents of drug abuse and crime have risen.

“Since the closure of the National Youth Centre, levels of drug abuse have gone high. However, we should not give up the fight. I call on authorities to consider re-opening the centre because it would go a long way in the fight against drug abuse and crime,” Mothibi said.

The National Youth Centre was closed in 2015 following the dissolution of the Botswana National Youth Council (BNYC), which was embroiled in managerial scandals.  The centre is located at Gaborone West Phase 1 or Ga-Mma Masire as the place is known to many.

According to Mothibi, the youth centre was very important because it had housed many youth organisations.  He said the centre currently has no water. 

“It was keeping the youth busy and helped address some of the social ills. 

It was a networking hub. It had sports and recreation activities, but since it closed, these youth organisations have died,” he added. Mothibi stated that the few organisations that are still occupying the area have been told to move out soon.  He said this would mean the end for organisations like Captive Eye as they could not afford to rent space outside because of the high rates.

Gaborone West Police deputy station commander, assistant superintendent Seitiketso Mpusetsang said the area is amongst the leading where crime levels are concerned.

He said this is due to the high usage of drugs by youths. “Most of them after using these drugs have no money and nothing to sell to get more drugs, then they resort to crime. 

That is why the crime levels are high in the area,” Mpusetsang said. He advised members of community to form groups to fight crime in the area. Meanwhile, Gaolathe used the meeting to brief his constituents about the just-ended session of Parliament.