26 Apr 2021

Minister of Environmental, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism, Ms Philda Kereng, has implored youth to embrace challenges bought by COVID-19 as a definition of ‘moment of awakening’, an opportunity that can help them adapt their lives to be able to manage demands of life.

Giving a word of encouragement during Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Western youth leadership seminar on April 25, she said covid-19 had brought the entire world to its knees and the youth were not sparred.

She, therefore, urged them to organise their lives in a manner that would enable them to respond to life challenges with great enthusiasm instead of stress.

Minister Kereng said their starting point could be utilising available poverty eradication programmes to uplift their lives.

She emphasised that they should leave their comfort zones, but reach out and search for new avenues for opportunities.

She encouraged youth to embrace technology to promote their businesses and to possibly penetrate international markets.

On other issues, she implored western region youths to serve and protect BDP’s legacy to maintain its relevance.

She said they needed to stick together as a party no matter what, and resolve differences.

BDP Youth Executive Committee vice chairperson, Mr Tony Sebabi applauded western region for promoting peace and tranquility in their region.

He urged them to continue with the spirit he said would promote inner party democracy and aspirations for the future.

He, however, decried low participation by youth in general elections and other party activities.

He pleaded with youth delegates to ensure that they promoted public education on elections.

“That awareness alone could be advantageous to claim more constituencies, especially from the hands of opposition parties,” he said.

Giving the objectives of the day, BDP National Youth Executive Committee chairperson, Mr Karabo Gomotsang, highlighted that they had embarked on cross country seminars to pave way for the 2024 general elections preparations.

He decried the outbreak of COVID-19, saying it had stalled party activities such that they had to do with limited time to promote the party.

MP for Kgalagadi North, Ms Talita Monnakgotla decried low uptake of government poverty eradication programmes by youths.

She, therefore, implored them to change their mindsets and utilise such programmes to the optimal to improve their lives. ENDS