Youth Minister visits Maun and Shorobe communities
A Minister’s journey to the heart of youth woes
In the picturesque yet beleaguered Ngamiland District, a beacon of hope arrives in the form of Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs, Lesego Chombo. This week, she will embark on a Constituency Week program, a mission to connect with communities in Shorobe and Maun and tackle the intertwined crises facing Botswana’s youth.
For too long, young people in Botswana have found themselves caught in a vicious cycle of economic hardship, social disconnect, and mental health struggles. Unemployment, a key economic challenge, often casts a dark cloud over mental well-being, which in turn makes it difficult for young people to connect with their peers. While the Youth Development Fund (YDF) was designed to be a lifeline, many find its application process to be a frustrating maze of red tape.
The shadow of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) also looms large, with tragic consequences that are often rooted in economic dependence and psychological distress. Each week seems to bring another heartbreaking story of a woman or child lost to violence, a grim reminder of the urgent need for change.
Minister Chombo’s visit is a step towards providing tangible solutions. On her agenda are critical discussions on gender mainstreaming, youth empowerment, and employability training. She will also address the challenges within the YDF and explore avenues for improving programs like the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Tirelo Sechaba.
Her journey begins in Shorobe, where she will meet with the Kgosi (chief) and engage with local women who are experts in weaving and crafting. This will be followed by visits to YDF beneficiaries in Maun, offering a firsthand look at the program’s impact—or lack thereof.
On Friday, her focus will shift to Maun, a hub for tourism that is not without its own struggles. She plans to confront the alarming rates of GBV and the high cost of operational spaces that stifle the entrepreneurial spirit of youth and women. The Minister will also delve into the unique issues of Shorobe, where a lack of market access and diversified skills has led to low YDF application rates and high unemployment.
As an attorney by profession, Minister Chombo brings a sharp, strategic mind to these complex issues. A statement from her Ministry emphasizes the importance of empowering all genders and ensuring the youth of the region have access to the resources they need to thrive.
The public, especially youth, women’s groups, and community leaders, have been invited to attend these Kgotla meetings. The hope is that through open dialogue and shared understanding, they can work together to develop homegrown solutions that truly address the challenges facing Ngamiland. It’s a call to action for the community to be part of the change they wish to see.
