JCI-Botswana launches enterprise development model

GOTHATAONE MOENG
Staff Writer | Monday October 22, 2012 00:00

The model will be launched during the organisation's two-day 16th National Convention, scheduled for October 26-27 in Gaborone. Assistant Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration Dr Gloria Somolekae is expected to speak at the official opening of the National Convention.While JCI-Botswana will host the development model, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) will facilitate it, in partnership with the Youth Development Fund, the Business Place and the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA).  JCI-Botswana Project Director, Joy Setlhare, said under the initiative, her organisation will identify and bring together young entrepreneurs to assist them in building stronger business networks.

'Let's take the example of the dairy business, maybe one entrepreneur has dairy cattle, but doesn't know how to package his milk. We can connect him/her with somebody who can, and then somebody who can distribute, and somebody who can do the marketing,' she said.

The entrepreneurs will be identified from the databases kept at CEDA, the Business Place and Youth Development Fund, and will be required to sign contracts with each other.Besides the launch of the Development Model, JCI-Botswana will also hold leadership training and public speaking workshops at the national convention, all of which will be open to the general public. Registration information is available at www.GABORONE2012.eventbite.com.

There will also be a public speaking and debate competitions. The organisation is expected to elect national incoming committee, as well as give awards for Top Young People in Botswana.  Awardees this year include Keneilwe Moseki, Tebogo Lebotse and Tsotso Ngele. Meanwhile, preparations are ongoing for the 500 delegates from over 40 countries who will descend on Gaborone for the 2013 JCI Africa and Middle East Conference.

The conference is scheduled to take place from May 8-11, 2013. Addressing journalists at the official launch of preparations for the conference earlier this year conference director Uyapo Letsholo said the conference will be an opportunity to share the core message of JCI with young people in Botswana.