Africa-Press – Lesotho. As part of its ongoing programmes in changing the lives of Basotho youth, Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) facilitated the final Youth Development Programme (YDP)
presentations at Lesotho High School on Friday. This programme was introduced in September 2021. The competition served as the final competition whereby LDF has been going from
school to school in the central, northern and southern region as a way of developing students and teaching them about the responsibilities by giving them
topics regarding the role of the youth in the development of their country. On the final competition the students were given the topic ‘Which model of
leadership can be good for Lesotho?’ Speaking at the event, LDF Youth Development Program Team Leader Lieutenant Masheli Mamofokeng mentioned that the purpose of the programme is to provide the youth
with positive ideas that may be utilized to change their lives. This follows the ‘Manomoro’ saga among the youth. She said they realised that the youth are mostly affected by depression, low
self-esteem and are easily influenced. “Some of these children had a tough time growing up so they think that the only way to survive is by pain and sorrow.
Others lack moral standards and social values hence they end up stealing, killing and raping thinking that is the only survival skill they can use. We have realised that youth between 15-22 years
are the ones mostly affected by peer pressure, depression and anxiety,” she said. Mashela said children at this age have ideas of rationalising situations
as well as making informed decisions. She said they are yet to introduce more activities which will strive to help the youth to think outside of the box and contribute towards the development of the
country. She added that they will continue hosting these activities for youth empowerment. The event was made possible by Maluti Mountain Brewery (MMB), Blessing Financial Services,
Namane ea Nare, Motšoari Foundation, Alliance Insurance, Finite Magazine. Also present at the event, the Minister of Development Planning Hon Selibe Mochoboroane aided with M1500 for the 1st prize winner, the Minister
of Gender, Youth, Sports and Recreation Hon Likeleli Tampane contributed M2400 for food and Former First Lady Maesaiah Thabane donated M5000 for the 1st
prize winner to buy a laptop. The winners were Matlotlo ‘Mako from Sacred Heart high School, 9th place, Neo Taylor Cenez high school, 8th place, Bokang Sello Lesotho
High School, 7th place, ‘Mantoetse Mojela Lesotho High School, 6th place, Limpho Matlosa King’s Gate High School, 5th place, Tlhokomelo Sithole Leribe English Medium school, 4th place, Lindiwe Mahlo Tšakholo
High School, 3rd place, Tholoana Malebanye Leribe English Medium School, 2nd place and Sam Mathetsa Hope English Medium school 1st place. LDF Commander Lieutenant General Mojalefa Letsoela acknowledged his colleagues for
a job well done in youth development. He said LDF is yet to create more boot camps, a military academy for the youth where they will be trained on everything
about the work of the military for four years. “We are trying to build the youth, make them future leaders of the country. I encourage them to work together in these programmes. I was impressed with their presentations and I urge them to focus more on education,” he concluded.
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