09 Jul 2013

The use of information communication technology in today’s world contributes to a society that can be creative and as a result improve its livelihood.

When launching the Sesigo project at Oodi Village Reading Room on July 5, the Principal of Oodi College of Applied Arts and Technologies (OCAAT) Ms Mildred Boduwe said due to the increasing awareness of computer use through education, many people can now have any information at the tip of their finger.

She said the theme “Building an informed nation through the use of Information and Communication Technology” resonated well with globalisation as people are living in an era of ICT characterised by rapid technological developments and high speed access to information.

Further, she added that libraries play a pivotal role in the community as they are information centres hence any Motswana can visit them to utilise these computers.

 “Through the Sesigo project, libraries have been equipped with computers which are used for various purposes such as word processing, playing games and surfing the internet,” said Boduwe.

The Principal said the internet had reduced the world to one global village thereby facilitating easy access and quick retrieval of information.

Boduwe further said it is therefore apparent that communities can use computers and internet to acquire knowledge on how to explore business ideas or market an existing business.

She called on all community members to utilise the Sesigo project as it is not only meant for the learned but even other members of the community.

Ms Boduwe encouraged librarians to make sure that the community at large benefit from the use of these computers.

When giving an overview of Sesigo project, Head of Public Libraries Ms Chinnana Selolwane said libraries are focusing on one of the Vision 2016 pillar of being “an educated and informed nation.”

Therefore she said through the introduction of computers in public libraries, information access will be enhanced and people will benefit from internet services provided.

Ms Selolwane said a partnership with Ministry of Youth Sport and Culture through Botswana National Library Services and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation gave birth to the project branded Sesigo: Sefalana sa Kitso which aims at providing access to ICT’s for the improvement of the social and economic wellbeing of communities.

She further added that the objective of the project is to give Batswana free access to information through computers and internet. ENDS