29 Aug 2023

 The high rate of unemployment amongst young people has propelled Thabari Yarae of Khwai and Elifase Lethusang of Rakops to discover and nurture their hidden talent as well as to exploit it to earn a living. 

While many youths are struggling to secure jobs and end up indulging in drug and substance abuse and other social ills, the duo, who are devoted Christians and passionate about singing, turned their hobbies into an opportunity to beat poverty and unemployment.

Together with two members of their church, they formed a gospel group, Dikonyana tsa Morena, to drive a positive social change amongst fellow youths and to make ends meet. 

“Everyone is born with a set of special talent that can be a source of income and employment for themselves and others. Young people have great talent but it is not tapped while some think success in arts is through the government,” said Yarae in an interview. 

He is of the view that identifying things that one loves and that is good at is a great way to unearth potential passion indicating that many have neglected their naturally God-given talents, which they could nurture, develop and eventually turn into careers and increase employment opportunities. 

Yarae said if young people could embrace the mindset change concept and focus on their talents, they could have fulfilling careers. 

He revealed that after completing vocational training, together with other group members, they focused on their talents because they knew that there are multiple benefits when one focuses on what they love. “We managed to produce our first gospel album dubbed Corona in 2019, which aimed at promoting messages on safety and precaution measures as well as to give hope that the pandemic will pass if people focus their eyes unto the Lord,” he added. 

Surprisingly, he said, the album did exceptionally well in the market even though movement was limited. He attributed the album success to technology which resulted in the album selling like hot cakes. 

For his part, Lethusang concurred that there were a handful of available jobs in the market all which were chased by a huge number of competent job seekers, adding that unemployment could lead to depression, anxiety hence they saw it fit to discover their talents, nurtured it and eventually turned it into a career.

Although, he said it could be incredibly difficult to achieve one’s dream, it required determination, perseverance and change of attitude. 

Young people, he said, must embrace the mindset change initiative, which he described as a wake up call for all to dream big and exploit their gifts for their benefit and of the country.

 “All we have to do is to change our attitudes and do things differently. We should not be concerned if what we love is not practical or common as talent can be simply a clue,” he added. Lethusang said their group was a testimony that utilising talents could beat unemployment and poverty amongst youths.

 He said they had completed their second album Jeso ke Mmoloki, comprising six hits which all carry joyful melodies that promote a spirit of hope, faith as well as to create an atmosphere of worship. 

The songs, he said, call on people to change their minds and seek the face of God while there was still time. 

He also noted that currently preparations were underway to launch the album before end of the year. 

The event would bring together Maun-based gospel artistes to captivate listeners and create an atmosphere of celebration. Lethusang appreciated that artists were working as a unit which helped them to grow fast.

 Lastly, he challenged fellow youths to refrain from social ills and explore their talents in arts, music, and sports among others. He said they should not waste time indulging in things that would destroy their lives. 

The COVID-19 pandemic, he said, had also taught everyone to identify new ways to beat the unemployment and improve livelihoods.

 Art, he said, is not all about entertainment but it is a tool that all could use for socio-economic development and therapy. ENDS