Amidst the vibrant energy of the Letlhabile Youth Expo, Debswana had the honour of being the main sponsor at the recently ended Letlhabile Southern Youth Farmers Association Expo recently held over the theme, ‘Promoting Youth Inclusion in the Value Chain.
The Youth Farmers Expo emerged as a beacon of hope and inspiration as almost all exhibitors were youth who had brought different breeds of goats, sheep, horticultural produce and other agric- related services. To support these youth, the government departments and parastatals, financial institutions had also honoured the invite. The Minister of Entrepreneurship officiated the expo, and was accompanied by Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Molebatsi Molebatsi. Other dignitaries were also in attendance including the Mayor, Ms. Olgah Ditsie, Council Secretary and Assistant Council Secretary, and other dignitaries.
The expo also served as a melting pot of ideas and insights, where one of the youths and guest of honour, Ms. Basadi Molelekeng, shared a word of advice with Letlhabile Youth Farmers Association and the rest of the expo attendants. She applauded the Association for seeing it fit to organize such an event, and pleaded with them never to give up as agriculture is unpredictable and challenging but rewarding. A youth viewed by many as a trailblazer who works hard in revolutionizing Botswana’s agric sector, she is based in Pandamatenga and is one of the farmers who contribute immensely to the food basket of our country. Her story on how she started farming illuminates the boundless potential of youth in agriculture.
Minister Gare applauded the youth of Letlhabile Association for working in collaboration and seeing it fit not to relax and rely in the mine to do everything for them. ‘Ya re go tlogelwa tsatsing se ikise meriting bonnaka, ke itumelela go bona le dira maiteko a go tsosolosa mowa wa boipelego’, he said. He stated that Batswana have always believed in agriculture from way back, but it’s about time the youth of today commercialize the sector in order to reap rewarding benefits.
The main sponsor, employer of Choice – Debswana, was represented by Ms. Carol Ralebala, on behalf of the Acting General Manager, Mr. Goitseone Gadifele. During her speech, Ms. Ralebala urged the youth to start conceptualizing their ideas with the focus and intention on commercializing farming, and move away from subsistence farming as our forefathers did. She reminded them to also take advantage of the mine’s programmes such as Citizen Economic Empowerment Programme, (CEEP), and shared a bit on the upcoming project of Diamonds to Mutton, which is still on the pipeline.
In closing, a Letlhabile Southern Youth Farmers Association representative gave a vote of thanks and pleaded with government departments, parastatals, and everyone else to continue supporting their efforts in reviving agribusiness on this side of the country, and also pleaded with aspiring youth farmers to be patient as farming can be tricky especially when starting.
For more information, please contact:
Matshidiso Kamona
Senior Corporate Affairs Manager – Brand, Media, and Stakeholder Relations
Debswana Diamond Company
Mobile: +267 71330897
About Debswana
Debswana Diamond Company was established in 1969, and it is owned in equal shares by the Government of the Republic of Botswana and De Beers Group. It is one of the world’s leading diamond producers by value and volume. Debswana operates four diamond mines in Orapa, Letlhakane, Damtshaa and Jwaneng. The company is a major contributor to the national economy of Botswana – contributing significantly to the gross domestic product, foreign exchange earnings and government revenues. Debswana is one of the largest private sector employers, with over 5500 employees and over 6000 contractors. Debswana is also the largest contributor to the De Beers Group rough diamond production. The company is committed to mining safely, optimally and responsibly, as well as making a meaningful contribution to the development of communities around its mines and the nation at large, thus making life brilliant. For further information visit www.debswana.com.
