18/06/2026
YOUTH MUST ENGINEER THEIR OWN FUTURE
Beneficiaries Tell Their Story
An undisputed fact that the government of the people cannot deny is that young people thirst for employment and economic opportunities. However, it would be equally disingenuous to ignore that a plethora of successful young professionals, entrepreneurs, sports people, academics, and community builders have risen to success on the wings of government support.
Testimonies from proud beneficiaries of various forms of government assistance, shared during the Youth Month Tourism Engagement Programme held in Bloemfontein, were so compelling that even pessimists had to acknowledge that, although they may not have directly benefited, millions of young people have, in one way or another, gained from government initiatives.
The programme, led by Deputy Minister of Tourism Makhotso Sotyu, showcased the unquenchable passion among the province’s youth for culinary arts, heritage and entrepreneurship. It also provided a platform for young people to engage on issues affecting the tourism and hospitality industry, including access to funding, business premises, lengthy application processes, underfunding, and inadequate tourism marketing, all of which negatively impact the industry and the livelihoods of those who depend on it.
Addressing a hall filled with young people, some despondent and others optimistic about the future, Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae acknowledged that: “Youth cannot live by hope alone but rather need to see and feel the impact of progress in their lives. Young people must be equipped with skills and provided with various kinds of opportunities and support, both financial and non-financial.”
Deputy Minister Sotyu urged young people to take ownership of their future, retorting that:
“Your role as a generation of youth is to fight for your inclusion in the economy of the country. The tourism sector recognises that young people must not be passive observers but active participants in shaping the future of the country.”
Premier Letsoha-Mathae further emphasised that her recent investment missions to China and Italy had already begun to bear fruit for the province, particularly for young people who stand to benefit most from the investments secured during the visits.
“Our mission was not for leisure but to secure resources that will better the lives of our people, particularly the youth who continue to be plagued by unemployment, poverty, and inequality,” said Premier Letsoha-Mathae.
Also present at the engagement were MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure Dibolelo Mance and MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism Ketso “Toto” Makume and Deputy Speaker of the Free State Legislature, Nolitha Ndungane.