Yesterday morning, the Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs, together with PYEC and UNICEF, convened the Mahalapye District Generation Unlimited Fair to connect young people from the locality with opportunities that can support their education, careers and entrepreneurial ambitions. The engagement recognised the important role that young people play in Botswana’s social and economic development. With youth accounting for a significant share of the country’s population, creating practical pathways into employment, training and entrepreneurship remains essential. The fair provided a platform for young people to gain information, engage with stakeholders and explore opportunities available to them. It also highlighted the importance of ensuring that young people have a meaningful role in shaping the future of their communities and country.
The engagement was borne from the recognition that approximately 35 percent of Botswana’s population is made up of young people between the ages of 18 and 35. This demographic represents a major source of energy, creativity and potential for the country. However, young people also face challenges when transitioning from education into employment or entrepreneurship, making access to information and support particularly important. The Generation Unlimited programme responds to this need through a global multisectoral approach that seeks to help young people become productive and actively engaged in society. The programme connects secondary-age education and training with opportunities in employment and entrepreneurship, giving young people practical pathways to build sustainable livelihoods.
The Mahalapye fair also provided an opportunity for the Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs to outline its role in supporting young people and advancing equality. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs, Ms Natasha Rampa, gave attendees an overview of the Ministry’s mandate during the engagement. She explained that the Ministry is mandated to provide empowerment opportunities for youth while also facilitating gender mainstreaming and equality. This mandate places youth empowerment at the centre of efforts to ensure that young people can access opportunities and participate meaningfully in national development. The engagement therefore served as an important platform for connecting the Ministry’s mandate with the practical needs and aspirations of young people in Mahalapye.
UNICEF also highlighted the importance of partnerships in creating opportunities for young people. Speaking on behalf of UNICEF, Dr Kimanzi explained that the organisation is mandated to advocate for the protection of children’s rights, help meet their basic needs and expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. UNICEF has consequently recognised the value of working with the Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs and PYEC through the Generation Unlimited initiative. The partnership seeks to empower young people by improving their access to opportunities and supporting their transition into productive adulthood. Through collaboration between government, development partners and youth-focused organisations, initiatives such as the Mahalapye Generation Unlimited Fair can bring information, support and opportunities closer to young people.
Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs and Generation Unlimited Brand Ambassador, Hon Lesego Chombo, took a different approach to the traditional ministerial speech by sharing a heartfelt account of her life journey. Her address focused on resilience, patience and hard work as important foundations for achieving success. By sharing aspects of her own journey, she encouraged young people to understand that success often requires persistence and a willingness to continue working towards goals despite challenges. Her message was particularly relevant to young people navigating education, employment and entrepreneurship in a competitive environment. The address reinforced the importance of believing in one’s potential while taking personal responsibility for the effort required to turn ambitions into meaningful results.
Hon Chombo also drew attention to the recently passed Research and Innovation Council Bill and its implications for youth participation in decision-making. She noted that the legislation has provided for young people to have at least two seats on any board, creating a pathway for youth representation at decision-making tables. Such representation can give young people a more direct opportunity to contribute their perspectives to discussions affecting their lives and communities. It also supports the broader principle of inclusivity by recognising young people as participants in governance and development rather than simply beneficiaries of government programmes. Meaningful youth representation can help ensure that policies, programmes and decisions take account of the experiences and priorities of the younger generation.
The Minister further encouraged attendees to take an active role in their communities and to remain accountable for their actions. Her message placed responsibility alongside opportunity, reminding young people that empowerment also involves participating constructively in society. Young people can contribute to their communities through entrepreneurship, volunteering, innovation, leadership and other forms of civic participation. Taking responsibility for personal choices can also help young people build the discipline and resilience required to pursue long-term goals. The message was therefore closely aligned with the broader Generation Unlimited objective of supporting young people to become productive and engaged members of society.
The Mahalapye Generation Unlimited Fair was characterised by panel discussions focusing on career opportunities and entrepreneurship opportunities available to young people. These discussions provided a platform for attendees to learn more about possible career pathways and the resources that can support entrepreneurial activity. Career guidance can help young people make more informed decisions about education, training and employment based on the opportunities available to them. Entrepreneurship discussions can also expose aspiring business owners to ideas around starting and developing enterprises. By bringing these conversations into a district-level setting, the fair helped make youth development discussions more accessible to young people in the locality.
The Mahalapye Generation Unlimited Fair ultimately demonstrated the value of bringing government, development partners and youth-focused organisations together around the needs of young people. The collaboration between MYGA, PYEC and UNICEF through Generation Unlimited creates an avenue for connecting youth with education, training, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities. The participation of senior government officials also reinforced the importance placed on youth empowerment, representation and accountability. For young people in Mahalapye, the fair offered an opportunity to engage directly with information and discussions that could influence their career and entrepreneurial choices. Continued initiatives of this nature can help ensure that Botswana’s young population has the knowledge, opportunities and platforms needed to participate meaningfully in the country’s development.
