By Thobo Motlhoka
Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development (MYESC) Thapelo Olopeng has been advised to swallow the chill pill when dealing with issues involving young people. Speaking in parliament recently Lobatse Member of Parliament Sadique Kebonang said the Youth Minister should learn to exercise patience when dealing with his constituency.
“Let me just take this opportunity to congratulate Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development on hosting the 50 years anniversary within budget,” Kebonang began, before going on to “advice you Honourable Minister that you should be a little bit more patient when dealing with your constituents because you deal with younger people, who are not necessarily known to be patient.”
Kebonang’s advice comes in the wake of a public spat between Olopeng and youthful rapper, and Tlatsa Lebala host Tshepiso Molapisi popularly known in the entertainment industry as ‘Kast’.
The rapper had accused the Minister of being a “powerful bully” who does not want to assist nor meet with him in relation to his Tlatsa Lebala campaign.
Kast told the media at a press conference that he had made numerous attempts to get the attention of the youth minister without success. He expressed frustration at the Minister’s character and attitude towards himself and other artists.
He said despite being snubbed by the Minster he would go ahead with his festival scheduled for December 1st, 2018 at KC12 Park, along the A1 Oodi junction. Unlike with his first Tlatsa Lebala event, Kast will not enjoy the benefits of hosting at the National Stadium.
In his response to Kast’s attack Olopeng said it was very unfortunate for Kast to attack him. “When he launched his initiative, I personally instructed my officials to give him the Stadium for free,” Olopeng wrote on his Facebook account. “I then asked my Assistant Minister then to attend and he did. I attended one of his Tlatsa Lebala shows in Francistown. For this year, I never received any request for a meeting from him.” The Minister reminded the rapper that he has hundreds of requests from “serious” young people across the country who want to meet him.
“What’s special about Kast? What did he do with the P2 000 000.00 he got from his first shows? This young man has lost his mission. He should grow, I don’t have time for crybabies. There are serious young people out there who need my attention,” Olopeng berated the ‘Sjabana’ rapper.
