‘Explore opportunities made available for you’

Assistant minister of youth empowerment, sport and culture development, Dikgang Makgalemele has challenged potential youth entrepreneurs to exploit the various funding sources within the country. Makgalemele was speaking at the inaugural Mogoditshane Youth Business Pitso where he expressed optimism on the untapped potential of youth in business. “I am fully convinced that it is possible for youth to excel,” said Makgalemele urging youth to embrace perseverance in doing business. ‘The business world has set some standards. Standards will never be lowered to accommodate you’ He however, highlighted that government has adopted some affirmative action to support growth of youth in business. “Some of the benefits have been ring fenced for you,” said Makgalemele, adding that government has realised poor economic participation of young people, hence putting in place numerous interventions geared at bringing youth into the mainstream economy. “Youth can access P48 billions of goods and services in procurement this financial year,” said Makgalemele.He said government commitment to youth development is hinged on democratic goals based on the principles of social and economic justice, human rights, empowerment, participation and active citizenship. Meanwhile, Dr. Segomotso Keakopa, giving a motivational talk at the event urged startups to adhere to record keeping in business. “It’s important to take the issue of record management serious. We need to plan and manage our records properly, so that we can account for our activities,” said Keakopa. She bemoaned that most institutions in the country do not properly manage records in the manual environment, highlighting that the trend should not spill into the digital era.