Berea, March 06 — In an effort to promote social accountability on tax payers money, Sefikeng youth in cooperatives will hold a one day meeting at Sefikeng LECSA on Thursday this week with the aim to scrutinize the national budget.
This was confirmed by Sefikeng youth in Cooperatives Chairperson, Mr. Lesole Lesole during an interview with the Agency on Monday following the national budget speech in the National Assembly whereby Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Dr. Rets’elisitsoe Matlanyane proposed a total budget M1.4 billion for Ministry of Gender, Youth, Sports, Arts, Culture and Social Development for the fiscal year 2023/2024.
Mr. Lesole said it has come to their attention that the national budget of 2023/2024 has areas of interestnt regarding youth development, therefore they have planned to meet as youth in cooperatives in order to develop knowledge on sectors where they can benefit.
He pointed out that they have invited experts in various aspects of life whereby they will discuss key issues reflecting in the budget which involves youth development.
Mr. Lesole said they have learnt that the Ministry of Gender has grown and having seen the budget allocated, it is not adequate for youth programmes as well as those for the Department of Social Development programmes.
He added that in most cases access to finance for youth to start their own projects appear in the budget but to access funds is a problem.
Mr. Lesole said they need to become responsible citizens who can stand for their rights, adding that it is time to take an initiative of visiting offices to seek knowledge and proper procedure of securing such funding, rather than waiting hopelessly for the government to approach them.
Meanwhile, during the budget speech presentation, the Minister of Finance highlighted that access to finance remains a major concern and the government will therefore facilitate youth access to the established Entrepreneurship Development Fund as to improve access to finance for youth seeking to start or improve their income generating projects.
She added that the Ministry will equip youth entrepreneurs with training to start or improve their businesses, create an enabling environment for them to network and market their businesses and also offer support through mentorship programmes.
Among the expected Sefikeng youth in cooperatives includes those in the agricultural sector both crops and animal production, entertainment and other sectors of production.
