KBL's entrepreneurial programme begins

| Thursday October 13, 2011 00:00

 

Collection of application forms for this year's submissions began at the end of August and all entries are to be submitted at any KBL or BBL offices by the 28th of October 2011. The competition is open to Batswana youth aged between 18 and 30 years of age.Over the past seven years, KickStart has made major inroads in promoting entrepreneurial awareness among the youth, capturing the imagination of Batswana in their fight against the unemployment crisis.

 Unemployment remains a major issue for Botswana and job creation remains a viable, long-term solution to the problem. As a result, job creation is a central concern for all stakeholders in the local economy, requiring for urgent and sustainable intervention from Government, the private sector and the community. KickStart has addresses this concern, growing to become one of the largest entrepreneurship development projects run by a group of private sector companies in Botswana and delivering both on sustainability and creating viable opportunities for the youth.

KBL, BBL managing director and Board the chair, Trustee at the Kgalagadi Beverages Trust, Hloni Matsela said,'Sustainable Development and enterprise development are an integral part of our business' long term sustainability that also underpin our license to trade, creating jobs and wealth in the community. Creating opportunities for young Batswana is such a fresh and vibrant reality because it gives our young people the capacity to truly hope for a better tomorrow.'

Aspiring youth are urged to complete an official KickStart entry form that is available from KBL and BBL offices nationwide to grab their chance towards owning a successful business and realizing their dreams. KickStart has established and overseen twenty eight small businesses owned by Batswana youth, having successfully provided business skills training for over one hundred young entrepreneurs.

The programme continues to provide young entrepreneurs with monetary grants of up to One Hundred Thousand Pula for business start-up and for the expansion of existing businesses, whilst also focusing on outcomes-based business skills training and mentorship for a period of twelve months.