Youth Camp inspires the unemployed
Unemployed young people attending a 5-day long Youth Camp at the 4 Artillery Regiment Military Base in Potchefstroom say the presentations made by various institutions since the beginning of the programme, challenge them to think more and positively about their future.
One of them, Pabalelo Pudule, a disabled 22 year old from Mmanokwane village in Greater Taung Local Municipality, says the call made by one of the presenters for young people to be innovative and avoid short cuts, has reached him.
“I am truly inspired by the kind of advices and information being shared since the start of this programme. We have been challenged to come up with innovative solutions to ongoing environmental problems like waste management and power generation among others, and I was motivated to think deeply about my dream to create a social network application that will contribute towards addressing some of the socio-economic challenges”, says Pabalelo who is a second year B COM Statistics student at the North West University.
Tshepo Moeti who is 27, also disabled, is happy to be part of this session. He holds a Diploma in Tourism Management, and has not been able to venture into the tourism industry. He has since resorted to domestic livestock farming, and is keeping his cattle, sheep and goats at his home village, Matolong. He says he diverted to farming as he has seen great opportunities in this area.
“As an emerging young farmer, I am positive that this Youth Camp will enlighten me about existing opportunities within institutions like the NYDA, IDC and the department of Rural Development and Land Reform, as I want to see my farming project growing”, Tshepo says.
Echoing Tshepo’s sentiments is Edward Mosea (32) from Maboloka village in Madibeng Local Municipality, who says his interest is on establishing a small business, a car wash, as this has a potential to benefit most young unemployed people in his home village.
“I am impressed by how presentations are structured, and have hope that by the end of this camp, one will be informed enough to take proper actions, this in respect of my idea of establishing a car wash”, says Edward who maintains that not having a matric certificate will not deter him from realising his dreams.
The Youth Camp is in its second day, and is attended by 200 unemployed young people from across the North West Province’s 19 Local Municipalities. It is hosted by the Office of the Premier’s Youth Entrepreneurship Services (YES) programme in partnership with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
According to Thapelo Sekawana, the Director for Youth Entrepreneurship Services (YES) programme, key to these youth camps is to create a platform for public and private institutions to share information on business development, training programmes and job opportunities available for young people in their respective organisations.
The Saturday programme will be led by the SANDF where young people will be taken through the Military, Leadership and Self-Mastery programmes. This Youth Camp will end on Sunday, 20 March, with a church service.
For enquiries:
Brian Setswambung
Acting Provincial Head of Communication
Cell: 084 702 3775 or 076 012 4501
E-mail: bsetswambung@nwpg.gov.za
