Letuka Chafotsa
Maseru — In a bid to foster partnership with the private sector to facilitate youth empowerment and job creation, the United Nations held a youth expo at the Maseru Club grounds on Friday.
Opening the event, on behalf of Thesele Maseribane Minister of Youth, Home Affairs Minister Joang Molapo said the gathering was meant to explore opportunities of investment in order to curb the problems of youth unemployment.
“United youth investment is our social responsibility. To create employment we need to think in a dynamic way”, Molapo said.
“Youth expo brings together the public sector, private sector and youth to address the scaring impacts of unemployment”, Molapo added.
Speaking at the event, UN Resident Coordinator Karla Hershey said they are aiming to pilot several youth empowerment projects in a campaign to develop and encourage entrepreneurship in young people.
She expressed the UN’s commitment to working with all stakeholders in creating an environment which institutes entrepreneurial opportunities for Lesotho.
At the same occasion, deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Local Government, Mothetjoa Metsing, in his keynote address said the event was in commemoration of the United Nations (UN) day.
“Youth champion projects come through UN and it is not just a coincidence but it should be meant to curtail the high unemployment in our country”, Metsing said.
“Our job is to listen to youth and answer to their calls, to help them in creating enabling conditions for them to be job creators”, said Metsing.
Addressing the youth, Metsing urged them to have a lucid ideology that will guide them to shape their future.
“If you are not ideologically confused you will not be misdirected and hence you will be able to take the edge off the daunting realities of unemployment”, he said.
He said youth should get economic freedom which can be achieved by “walking a long walk not short cuts to the bank.”
According to Metsing, the government is currently working hard to develop strategies that will eradicate poverty and empower youth. The expo was attended by job seeking youth, higher learning institution and local high school students.
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