Africa Youth Entrepreneurship summit launched
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In partnership with Babereki Investments (Pty) Ltd, Connect Circle launched Africa Youth Entrepreneurship (AYE) summit last week Thursday themed: Fostering Wealth Growth in Africa through Young Entrepreneurs Participation at Newscafe.
The summit scheduled to take place on the 22nd of February 2018 is the brainchild of Connect Circle founder and Managing Director Lemogang Senwelo. Senwelo highlighted that she founded the movement as she felt the need to come forth and represent all the other young entrepreneurs and become their voice. Lemogang said the summit is aimed at giving young entrepreneurs a platform to achieve their entrepreneurial ambitions and to build networks between young African entrepreneurs.
Officially launching the summit, Executive Chairman, Babereki Investments (Pty) Ltd, Mr. Andrew Motsamai explained that at BABEREKI Investments, an investment arm of Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU), they believe that, they need to develop indigenous capacity to own and run businesses. ”We believe it is through Public Private Partnerships (PPP) that ordinary Batswana could ultimately own viable businesses. It is evident that, trade unions through the power of numbers are able to startup businesses with relative ease,” he said.
He went on to say that, “We have made notable strides in partnerships with individuals to acquire and run businesses locally. These include the Africa Wild Lodges and Safaris in the delta and Chobe, and Babereki ka Lorato funeral services”. Motsamai further said that Babereki is of the view that young Batswana should participate in the country’s economic engines, serving not just as employees but rather, as drivers of the economy and owners of these businesses.
“We are alive to the fact that, the capacity and willingness to develop organize and manage a business venture in order to make a profit’ is not child’s play; we have come to terms with the fact that mining and tourism have been the largest contributors to the GDP locally. Regrettably, the limited number of citizen participants in these areas is worrisome. It is here that we want opportunities for young citizen entrepreneurship. Their participation in some of these areas should be encouraged,” he said.
Motsamai asserted that the beauty of promoting “Entrepreneurship” amongst youth is that they become part of the solutions of the economy which directly affects them. He said through their involvement the youth is likely to transform the economy, create jobs and help reduce income disparity. “In my humble view, a graduate with all the necessary skills may not become a high salary earner if he/she chooses to be an employee, but can earn more as an entrepreneur,” he said.
“Botswana’s market although small has potential. Starting a business requires strategic thinking, and finding the right partner(s). Strategic alliances are possible in Botswana; they should be explored; the same applies to funding. CEDA, NDB and other funders offer very low interest rates for youth businesses. We should stop complaining that government is not doing enough. We stop and reflect: have we tried ourselves, individually or as a collective?” According to him, the onus should be on young people to create jobs for them to avoid dependency.
Local companies, including Babereki Investment also have a corporate social duty to mentor and incubate young potential entrepreneurs. “We promise to support youth business and concepts that can create jobs, economic activities locally and in the region,” he said.
He concluded that, “It is our duty to ensure that our young entrepreneurs are pushed to integrate with other strategic partners outside for skills transfer and for the development of our continent,” he said. “I am aware politicians, can talk about job creation, but they cannot create jobs. It is their duty to talk, and it is the duty of businesses to create jobs.” Also present at the event was young entrepreneur Newman Ramatokwane of Native Events and Thatayaone Seduke, a serial entrepreneur.
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BOTSWANA TO HOST MISS WORLD 2026
Even though Botswana has over the years been performing extremely poorly at the Miss World competition, the country has confirmed that it will be hosting the beauty festival in 2026. Initially, the country was to host Miss World next year, something it failed to confirm before deadline. Director at Miss Botswana, Benjamin Raletsatsi, says Botswana will be ready then to host all participants. Miss Botswana Top 25 finalists left the boot camp yesterday. Quite shocking though, Miss Botswana team is still failing basics as responding to media inquiries on time yet it is dangerously hoping to host an event of high status
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DJ Sway ‘saved’ the YAMAs
DJ Sway, the daring and ambitious on-air presenter of Yarona FM, played a crucial role in saving the radio station’s music awards, known as the YAMAs. The event was initially dry and disorganized, but DJ Sway, who co-hosted with Pearl Thusi, injected life into the show. However, things took a turn for the worse when Pearl Thusi abruptly left the stage, leaving DJ Sway to carry on alone. Despite the unexpected setback, DJ Sway rose to the occasion and captivated the audience, effectively putting an end to the drama caused by Pearl Thusi.
In an exclusive interview after the YAMAs, DJ Sway revealed the behind-the-scenes chaos that unfolded during the event. He acknowledged the script editors, Phalana and Hope, who worked tirelessly to reedit the script and adapt it to a one-host format. Despite the last-minute changes, DJ Sway remained composed and focused, thanks to the support of his colleagues, such as Owen Rampha, Katlego Rakola, Tshepang Motsisi (DJ Easy), and LB.
When asked about his initial reaction to the unexpected turn of events, DJ Sway admitted to feeling saddened by how things ended. However, he credited Pearl Thusi for giving him a much-needed confidence boost during his moment of doubt. She reminded him that he was destined for greatness and that he didn’t need big stars to succeed. With her words of encouragement, DJ Sway regained his composure and approached the rest of the show with the same professionalism and charisma he displays on the radio.
To overcome the challenges he faced, DJ Sway relied on his radio skills and calm personality. He engaged with the audience as if he were speaking to a single person, pointing out individuals in the crowd to create a more intimate connection. He also expressed gratitude for his backstage team, who provided support and ensured the smooth running of the show.
DJ Sway expressed satisfaction in being seen as the saving grace of the YAMAs. He believed that he fulfilled his role as a host and brought joy to the Yarona FM board, his family, and his fans. Despite his success, DJ Sway’s journey has not been without hardships. He has experienced the loss of his mother and sister, which has left a lasting impact on him. While he continues to grieve, he seeks solace in therapy sessions and relies on his father for emotional support.
DJ Sway’s dedication to his craft and ability to overcome adversity make him a remarkable figure in the radio industry. His vibrant personality and deep knowledge of music have made him a perfect fit for Yarona FM. Despite the challenges he has faced, DJ Sway remains determined to make a positive impact and bring joy to his listeners. With his talent and resilience, there is no doubt that DJ Sway will continue to thrive in his career and leave a lasting legacy in the world of radio.
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Chef Gustos walk of shame
Chef Gustos, the renowned hitmaker, recently experienced what can only be described as a walk of shame at the 8th edition of the Yarona FM Music Awards (YAMAs). Despite being nominated a whopping seven times, he failed to secure a single win. Ouch!
The night was filled with surprises, drama, and controversy, but the biggest winner of the evening was Han C, who walked away with three awards, including Best Pop and Best Male Single for his hit song, “Sebinki.” Han C graciously announced that he would be donating P10,000 from his winnings to his fellow nominees, promoting a spirit of togetherness among artists. What a noble gesture!
Meanwhile, Chef Gustos found himself on the losing end of several categories, including People’s Choice Artist of the Year, which he had won in the past. He seemed unfazed by the loss, stating, “People know that ‘Away’ was big, but they won’t stop me.” It’s clear that Chef Gustos is determined to continue making music, regardless of the awards he receives.
However, he did express his frustration with the outcome, suggesting that the awards may be corrupt. He declined to comment further, citing the need to protect his brand and maintain good relationships with corporate clients. It’s understandable that he wants to avoid any potential damage to his future prospects.
In fact, Chef Gustos went so far as to request that Yarona FM not nominate him for future YAMAs. It seems he wants to distance himself from the disappointment and focus on his music without the pressure of awards. Perhaps this decision will allow him to create freely and without the burden of expectations.
While Chef Gustos may have experienced a walk of shame at the YAMAs, it’s important to remember that awards do not define an artist’s talent or success. His fans still appreciate his music, and he continues to have gigs with corporate clients. So, despite the disappointment, Chef Gustos remains optimistic about his future in the industry.
In the end, the YAMAs may have been a letdown for Chef Gustos, but he’s determined to keep moving forward. He won’t let a lack of awards dampen his spirits or hinder his creativity. And who knows, maybe next time he’ll come back stronger and prove that he’s deserving of recognition. After all, the true measure of an artist’s success lies in the hearts of their fans, not in shiny trophies.