BY OBAKENG MAJE
NORTH West province premier, Supra Mahumapelo officially launched a Youth Trust Fund called Kgetsi Ya Tsie Bursary and Skill Development Fund.

The event took place at Khudutlou village, near Taung in Baga-Maidi area on Friday.

Mahumapelo said the province under his leadership came up with this initiative because they felt that there was a need to put in place a means to help the youth in the province.

He said that if they help the youth to develop their skills and further their studies, that will benefit their personal development but will also benefit their local communities respectively.

“We will invest R30m that we used in annual basis to help under-privileged children who do not have financial muscle to further their studies.

“We also want to plea to other businesses to come on board to investing in the future of our youth. Education for youth in our community
Is very imperative,” Mahumapelo said.

He said education is and always will be very important in building a strong foundation in one’s life.


Three pupils were handed over bursaries to further their studies next year in various universities across the country.

Rebaone Notoane(18) who comes from Manthe village, but a pupil at Seabo High School said she really appreciate the bursary as she want to further her studies next year.

“I am over the moon, I do not have exact words to express my happiness. It really shows that hardwork pays dividends. I will be studying Law Degree next year at North West university,” she said.

Another pupil, Tshepo Letebele(18) from Mankuroane Technical High School said “The bursary came in handy and one who said education is key was right in terms of looking at our future generation. We want our youth to be educated, to be up to date with current issues, and able to provide knowledge to the next generation,” Letebele outlines.

Ikageng Moffat(21) from Kgosietsile Lethola High School was also awarded bursary to further his study next year at Medunsa university.

One of business persons who contributed in awarding these pupils bursaries, Phaladi Moche said education is a strong building block in building a stronger and healthier community.

“We need to develop our youth because they are indeed our future leaders. I am doing this out of good heart because I know how poverty feels like. I was awarded bursary to further my studies and I know the feeling. So education is the only gateway vehicle from poverty,” he said.

Baga-Maidi Tribal Authority Kgosi Nnyoko Motlhabane applauded the initiative and encouraged the youth to take the stand and be counted.

“This starts by putting effort and emphasis on the importance of education in our youth today. As a community, it is our obligation to help a child develop their identity and be a contributing factor to society. We must refocus on the idea that a child is the centre of our community,” said Motlhabane.

One of the residents who came to experience the mouthwatering event, Olateleng Emmanuel Keakohile(27) from Tlapeng village said “As community we must provide protection, security, knowledge, and most importantly good values. If we can help our youth to become positive and engaging members of society, this will only help in developing, not only a stronger and healthier community, but a safer one as well.”

According to Mahumapelo, the aim of the fund is to help hundreds of Bokone Bophirima students who struggle to pay their tertiary tuition fees, and assist in facilitating increased access to educational opportunities to the youth of Bokone Bophirima Province.

Mahumapelo said they managed to raise more than R500 000 and therefore a massive capital injection is needed in order for the programme to realise its objectives.

Premier Mahumapelo contributed R10, 000 to the fund while each MEC will contributed R5000.

Government employees in the Province are expected to contribute R100 each to the fund.

NB: Donations can be made at this account number: Kgetsi Ya Tsie Educational and Skills Development Fund, ABSA Current Account number: 408608421
-TDN
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