09 Oct 2018

Thari E Ntsho Story Tellers youth group from Maun has left for Germany on a cultural exchange programme.

Speaking at a send-off ceremony last Friday, Member of Parliament for Maun East, Konstantinos Markus commended the group for their efforts in empowering the youth to be self-reliant.

Markus also encouraged the nine youths to use the opportunity wisely and to raise the Botswana flag high.

Maun Administration Authority (MAA) senior assistant council secretary (SACS), Mogomotsi Seemule encouraged the group to showcase Botswana culture well as well as to embrace the German culture.

She said it was humbling to have developed countries such as Germany establishing links with developing countries such as Botswana.

Seemule said they were appreciative of all efforts by other institutions in developing Batswana through meeting their basic needs and creating employment.

The trip to Germany follows a visit from the German youth group to Thari E Ntsho in March during which the former assisted the locals to make a vegetable garden.

One of Thari E Ntsho Story Tellers youth, Wame Sekgoma said during their stay in Germany they would help their counterparts to refurbish an abandoned playground which would benefit both the young and old.

She said their initiative was in line with Sustainable Development Goal 11 which encouraged developing communities.

Sekgoma said the vegetable garden had benefited them and their families, adding that they intended to produce for commercial purposes in order to assist the community.

Thari E Ntsho Story Tellers is a non-governmental organisation which was founded by Bontekanye Botumile. It focuses on cultural preservation, environmental conservation, youth empowerment and story-telling.

Maun Administration Authority donated travelling necessities to the youth group worth about P7 000. Principal community development officer from MAA, Keitumetse Kgosimoloi said the donation was in recognition of Thari E Ntsho’s  contribution in developing young people.

The donation comprised of travel bags, boots as well as Botswana colours branded backpacks, protective clothing, jackets, t-shirts and caps.

Botumile, who is the founder of the group, thanked the Maun leadership for supporting her efforts. Botumile said her community empowerment efforts started in 2013, and that it was only this year that she saw local government officials rallying behind her. ENDS