Segokgo calls for review of African Youth League roles

Regional Youth Consultation Forum hosted by African Union has adopted a motion by councillor Phenyo Segokgo calling for review of roles of youth leagues in today’s political landscape. The consultative forum which was held in Tanzania was held under the theme ‘Harnessing the demographic dividend through investment in youth’. In an interview with The Midweek Sun this week Segokgo said what prompted the motion is that he discovered that young people are confined into youth leagues.

According to Phenyo this hinders young people from growing politically. “In the current political landscape we cannot have young people not being allowed to contest for political office in higher structures. As a young person aged around 28 years political parties in Africa and a typical example here at home would not allow you to contest for a position of chairman or secretary general. You would be told that you have try at youth league level,” said Segokgo who is also South East District Council Chairman.

He explained that the youth being active and vibrant if given leadership roles in high party structures would contribute greatly to such a party. He stated that by being confined to youth leagues young people are being disadvantaged in showcasing their worth at an early age. “Why can’t we have a young person being assigned to dealing with issues of policy formulation at national executive level? It is not that they can’t do that it is because we have decided that they can only go that route after maybe turning 36 years.

I am not saying we should kill youth leagues, but the motion wants the playing field to be open for young people who want positions outside the scope of youth leagues,” he said. Segokgo, Rebaone Mmereki from Oyebo, Kelly Moatlhodi (Student activist at University of Botswana) and Independent Electoral Commission Principal Public Relations Officer Osupile Maroba, represented Botswana at the forum. The consultation was held for the Southern and Eastern African countries. It is expected to be held in West and Central African countries. The final high level youth forum is scheduled to be held in Nigeria during the first week of December this year.