Africa-Press – Botswana. A ray of hope filled the atmosphere when the second Mabutsane District Ipelegeng Skills Development Component (ISDC) cohort graduated on June 4.
The Kokong graduation ceremony succeeds the inaugural one for the district, which was held in Kutuku in August last year.
Glad in Orange reflector shirts, the 57 graduates from Kokong, Mabutsane and Keng stood testament to the government’s commitment to uplifting and empowering local communities through vocational skills, which include bricklaying, carpentry, tiling, painting and electrical works.
Among the beneficiaries who braced the Friday morning winter breeze was 45-year-old Ms Georgina Konabe from Keng, a village that lies just a few kilometres from Sekoma along the Sekoma-Tsabong road. To her, this was an opportunity of a lifetime for someone who has never been formally employed.
“When this opportunity came I embraced it because I have always been a hands-on woman, I enrolled for painting because even at home I used to do the painting myself. I realised this was a good opportunity to fine-tune my little skill and turn into a professional painter,” she excitedly explained in an interview.
For a journey that started back in October 2023, the training took more than the anticipated six months, owing to delays in procuring material. The life-learning programme saw them practically building houses in their respective villages, and thereby perfecting their skills until completion.
Even though she appreciates that the ISDC does not discriminate based on age or gender, she narrates that initially she encountered challenges when climbing stepladders. “At first it was uncomfortable for me as a woman to climb up high to reach those heights, but eventually I got used to it and everything started to run smoothly. We also worked as a team with our male counterparts and this made our learning environment enjoyable,” she said.
She implores fellow women to break barriers and penetrate male-dominated fields to uplift their livelihoods. However, she underscored passion and dedication as the main ingredients that drive any dream.
To Ms Konabe, obtaining the certificate means the beginning of a journey with immense possibilities. She is looking forward to knocking on doors to offer her painting services, while at the same time being open to partnerships with other graduates who have different skills.
“From here I’m going to look for a job in the construction companies, while also working on establishing my own business that will create employment opportunities for other people,” she noted.
However, Jwaneng/Mabutsane Member of Parliament, Mr Omphemetse Kwapa believes that the programme could only be effective if beneficiaries positioned themselves for bigger opportunities through further self-development and upholding the highest professional standards. He said while the government was committed to empowering communities towards a knowledge-based economy, graduates also had to ensure that they grew and created employment for people in their localities.
“Such a training help to build a database of vocational skills in the district, who will also benefit when big contractors are engaged in your areas. However, you also need to be innovative and create opportunities for yourselves and other residents in your communities. Discipline and professionalism will help you build your profiles and open bigger opportunities for you,” he said.
While he appreciated the programme, Kgosi Kemolatoletswe Moalafi appealed to the government to consider adding other skills such as mechanical works component to the menu to accommodate others.
“This is a good initiative because we have people who are well-known for their skills even though they have not been professionally trained. The ISDC should also be broadened to train others like mechanics whom we know are there in our communities and doing a good job. This will go a long in nurturing talents and uplifting the livelihoods of our people,” he noted.
Officially launched in 2022, the ISDC is a collaborative effort between various government ministries and the Construction Industry Trust Fund intended to empower beneficiaries with entrepreneurial and life skills that could uplift their lives and contribute towards eradicating poverty.
The programme further aims at build resilient and sustainable economies through efficient service provision within the local communities.
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