23 Mar 2017

A youthful leather tanner based in Sese near Jwaneng has advised other young Batswana to take responsibility for their lives rather than losing hope and falling into self destructive habits like alcoholism.

Ms Lesedi Wamakala said at a month of youth against AIDS workshop hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture at Moreane near Kanye recently.

Ms Wamakala, whose business idea was funded by government through the Poverty Eradication Programme (PEP) said it was important for young Batswana to get information on youth-specific empowerment initiatives and jump-start their lives.

She said every young person has natural inner strength to push beyond their own apathy and come up with innovative ways to overcome challenges like unemployment rather than sitting back waiting for an opening somewhere in an office.

Ms Wamakala said young people who are not keen on becoming economically active were more susceptible to the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS than any other age group because they inevitably have to depend on a partner, usually an older person, for support.

She said young people need to take the necessary precaution to stay clear of HIV/AIDS.

Ms Wamakala, who went an extra mile to sponsor herself for a short course on leather production in Maun two years back, said even before she was funded, she had a plan for her life and followed it through with persistence until everything fell into place for her.

When she went for training again last year, after her application was approved for funding through PEP, she said for her it was like a walk in the park because it was a repeat of stuff she had learned during her stay in Maun.

The confident entrepreneur manufactures leather shoes, bags and belts among others.

She plans to produce traditional dance attire and target schools, artists across the country and beyond.

Ms Wamakala, who operates from a rented room, however decried that her business was being hamstrung by shortage of business plots in Sese.

She also complained that some of the equipment purchased for her was not necessary.

She has therefore encouraged extension officers to consult beneficiaries before purchasing them equipment to avoid wasting money on obsolete items. ENDS