19 May 2024

In an endeavour to accelerate digital transformation, government will expand the national broadband backbone infrastructure covering 16 000km.

Delivering a keynote address at the World Telecommunications and Information Society Day (WTISD) in Pandamatenga on Friday, Botswana Telecommunication Corporation Limited board chairperson Mr Mokgethi Magapa said the infrastructure would enhance the use of communication and ICT for sustainable development as aligned to government Reset Agenda.

He said the Reset Agenda priority on digitalisation was a driver for Botswana to achieve accessible, affordable and high quality Internet services.

This, Mr Magapa said, was encapsulated in the SmartBots village connectivity projects which provided free internet in public places.

He said the project had bridged the digital divide in rural communities as Batswana were able to access high speed Internet in schools, clinics and dikgotla.

Mr Magapa said this year’s theme: Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development, was a testament that ICT presented many opportunities that could generate value when used right.

He said digitisation had transformed the world as people were able to offer products and services, learning materials and hold meetings online.

However, Mr Magapa said, it was essential to apply cyber security measures to protect against hackers and unauthorised exploitation and infiltration of sensitive data.

He said ICT stakeholders observed poor network connectivity in Pandamatenga from all three mobile networks providers hence rectified the problem to ensure the village had sufficient network coverage.  

Furthermore Mr Magapa revealed that stakeholders had pledged to gift about P30 000 to a high achiever girl-child at Pandamatenga Primary School in the 2024 PSLE.

Chobe Junior Secondary School learner Ms Loago Buzwani relished the opportunity presented to them through the Girls in ICT a flagship programme for WTISD where learners were trained on cyber security awareness, leadership, digital content creation, and hackathon.

She said they learnt how they could protect themselves on the cyberspace from bullying and any other form of abuse.

Ms Buzwani said there were many opportunities in the digital world which inspired them to work hard.

Kgosi Rebecca Banika of Pandamatenga said telecommunications had been integral part in connecting people even before digitalisation.

She thanked the Ministry of Communications, Knowledge and Technology for hosting WTISD in Pandamatenga as it gave residents platform to learn about the benefits and dangers of ICT.

Kgosi Banika thanked the communications and ICT stakeholders for donating ICT gadgets and fixing the telecommunications problems in the village.

Stakeholders donated over 30 computers, heavy duty printers, projectors, cameras, televisions, tablets, and printing paper for schools, library, clinics and  kgotla in Chobe District. ENDs