The Ministry of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation (MICSTI) has pledged to break the cycle of poverty and unambiguity.
This, the Minister of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ms. Nthati Moorosi said during the launch of Film for Community Action (FCA) in Maseru on Monday where she said that youth have for the longest time regardless of their creativity not benefited.
FCA is a program designed to empower young people in and out of school with life skills in decision-making, negotiation, and communication as well as improving their self-esteem. It is being steered by Kaya Holdings.
Kaya Holdings is a local company that has been identified by the Ministries of Gender, Youth, Sports, Arts, Culture and Social Development (MGYSACSD) and Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation (MICSTI) as a smart partner or stakeholder through FCA for its vision to generate practical intervention programs for individuals to be able to develop their potential, work productively and creatively.
Ms. Moorosi said they want to see the creative industry looming and booming, saying it has the capacity to create jobs.
She said creative industries in other countries contribute immensely to economic growth.
The Minister stated that as the ministry they also pledged support in ensuring that films produced locally will be broadcasted on national television.
She advised youth not to wait for them while they are still busy with policies, saying they should continue to produce and make content ready.
She commended Kaya Holdings for the initiative of seeking content from the villages, noting that they want drama from the villages as raw as it can be.
“These are exciting times for us and let us start as youth and find a way they can make a living through the creative industry. We want you to make money out of creativity and prosper,” she said.
She thanked Khaya Holdings for bringing hope to the youth that this can happen in their country, also expressed gratitude Mr. Phuthego for being willing to hold their hands.
She urged the youth to go and inspire others so that they change the lives of Basotho and the economy of the country as well.
Moreover, the Minister of Gender, Youth, Sports, Arts, Culture and Social Development, Mr. Pitso Lesaoana said they are looking to empower youth socially, economically and politically by focusing on film production.
Mr. Lesaoana said youth is faced with the challenge of high unemployment hence the government has the initiatives to address high unemployment.
He said creativity is one quality that youth have and they want to exploit it by working together as government ministries and private sector, adding that can achieve a lot by working together thus taking the country to a higher level.
He noted that films to be produced will be broadcast on national television, therefore, urging the youth to produce as much content as they possibly can.
He stated that they are the youth of today and also the future therefore they have to take Lesotho to greater heights.
On the other hand, Kaya Holdings Director Mr. Tumahole Lechesa said the program is aimed at creating support networks for people to enhance skills, gender equality, HIV/AIDS awareness, gender relations/gender-based violence, sexual reproductive health, mental wellness and psycho-social support to mention a few.
Mr. Lechesa said it is also aimed at raising consciousness, confronting social, political and economic contradictions and inequalities and identity opportunities for advocacy as well as change both on stage and in real life, while the ultimate goal is to improve quality of life, achieve the fulfilment of rights and facilitate social transformation towards peaceful societies.
“We will have short films that will be derived from the 10 districts which will give us the much-needed local content,” he said.
Mr. Lechesa noted that they will have a film festival by the end of the year to enable all the participating districts to showcase their films saying the winning film will walk away with prizes in the form of filming equipment.
Mr. Clint Phuthego said there is never a limit, saying the youth should believe that they can be anything that they want to be. He said they should set their goals and reach out to them.
Meanwhile, Khaya Holdings intends to interact with 5,000 youth across the 10 districts over five years and with this projection, they will create direct and indirect opportunities for the youth, adding that within the first two years of the mentorship program, they are aiming to create at least 2,000 jobs and production of youthful content as well as gather news from the districts.
They will also build strong and positive relationships with others and contribute to their community even as they strive to fulfil their personal and social goals to achieve a sense of purpose in their society.
One of their objectives is to contribute towards SDG 3; Good health and well-being, SDG 4; Quality education, SDG 10; Reduced inequalities and SDG; Partnerships for the goals.
About 40 youths from the Maser district will be in a four-day workshop in film production and acting from Tuesday until Friday.
The launch was graced by the presence of South African actor Mr. Clint Phuthego who stars in Muvhango as Dr Paballo.
Source: LENA 31/07/2023
