29 Jul 2024

Mindset change should form an integral part of every individual’s life in an effort to advance the country’s ambitions of achieving a high income economy.

This was said by Letlhakeng district commissioner, Mr Ian Tema at the event organised by the district to mark mindset change one-year anniversary.

Mr Tema said as mindset change was the most powerful tool to drive transformation and growth as it would inevitably help unlock the untapped potential sectors. He explained that embracing mindset change would help people to interrogate the world better and turn challenges into opportunities.

“There are always prospects in the horizons awaiting to be transformed into wealth and mindset change remains key to set things into action. Everything you want to do, put your mind to it and you will do it,” he said.

He encouraged Batswana not to despair but have a positive mindset so that they could come up with ways on how to tackle life and fend for their families and subsequently contribute to the country’s economy. He said capitalising on the value chain of different sectors was more beneficial than replication of the existing businesses.

“Desist from pull down syndrome because you are denying Botswana the potential to grow. The dependency syndrome, especially on government, can delay economic growth,” he said and therefore challenged people to have a spirit of self-reliance. 

He said time was nigh for women to believe that they had the responsibility to assume leadership positions.

Assistant district commissioner, Ms Oabona Kalwetse said self-deprecation was an enemy to mindset change hence embracing mindset change was the course of action. 

Ms Kalwetse hailed the mindset change campaign for encouraging the community to form groups and come up with initiatives geared towards uplifting their livelihoods.

“This does not only build resilience among community members but also harnesses cooperation and teamwork,” she said. 

For her part, district officer-development, Ms Bianca Moswela, challenged selected groups to be committed to their projects and pledged that the district leadership would fully support them. Letlhakeng deputy council secretary, Mr Terrence Ntalabgwe called on everyone to heed the call ‘A Re Chencheng’.

Mr Ntalabgwe said Botswana should not be conventional in her efforts to be at par with the international community with regards to competitive advantage and development as well as meeting global standards. 

He also called on local communities to use abundant resources in the district in a sustainable manner to improve their livelihoods and also implored them to exploit the existing value chain opportunities.

Meanwhile, Tsetseng, Salajwe, Letlhakeng Sesung and Kaudwane, respectively, were the top five villages earmarked to be supported in implementing their businesses. Ends