18 Aug 2024

Mindset Change Campaign has sparked positive thinking among the communities to explore economic opportunities to sustain themselves, says Kgosi Mokopu Banyatsang of Boseja ward.

Welcoming residents who had thronged his kgotla to commemorate the successes of the Mindset Change Campaign recently, Kgosi Banyatsang  said majority of the members of the community had been motivated to think differently, be innovative and look for ways to better their livelihoods. .

He hailed His Excellency President Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi’s visionary leadership, saying the mindset concept resonated well with the spirit of self-reliance that was one of the founding principles of the country.

 “Since the launch of the concept, Batswana have embraced new ways of doing things as many have been motivated to tap into available programmes provided by the government because of positive thinking that everything is possible,” he said.

 Kgosi Banyatsang also pointed out that one of the lesson Batswana learnt from coronavirus pandemic was to avoid dependency on government but instead take advantage of initiatives in place to venture into income generating projects to fend for themselves.

 Some, he said, had started backyard gardens while those in production had embraced diversification drives in order to remain afloat in the market.

 North West District Council chairman, Mr Itumeleng Kelebetseng concurred that the campaign had accelerated change noting that businesses were rapidly evolving while some people were tapping into new possibilities to eke a living.

That, he said, was testament that the campaign spoke to changing the way people had been doing things both economically and socially.

“Batswana have embraced the concept for a positive purpose as they are taking advantage of availed opportunities presented by government and other organisations,” he saidd.

 Mr Kelebetseng also appreciated that the communities had seen that change started at household level and that wealth and income were derived from applying their minds to better their livelihoods.

He added that the concept also spoke to leadership executing their duties effectively and leading by example in delivering their promises.  Such promises, he said could be executing developmental projects on time to benefit the communities.

Mr Kelebetseng also urged organisations to support local artists so that they attain better returns from their talents.

 However, some panelists comprising of representatives of different sections of the society shared their observations and experiences since the launch of the Mindset Change Campaign.

Business community representative, Ms Beauty Mokobela of Bio-Flash Investment, which specialises in brick moulding, shared that embracing mindset change had worked wonders for her business.

She indicated that she started small in 2007 using her savings in her backyard and  she eventually  secured an industrial plot and managed to buy advanced machines to increase production. “This concept has taught me to do things differently in order to reach my business goal. I am glad that fellow businessmen and women stood up and looked for ways to improve their entities and become better than they were before,” she added.

 Ms Mokobela cited those into horticulture industry saying they took advantage of the government decision to restrict the importation of some vegetables to prove that they were capable of becoming self-sufficient and improve food security.

Youth representative, Mr Kabo Katse, also highlighted that the Mindset Change Campaign had motivated young people to have a positive attitude and explore any opportunity coming their way.

Some, he said, had negative thoughts that destroyed their dreams and that the campaign  shifted their thinking to realise that they could tackle unemployment by utilising available schemes to start their own enterprises.

“I am one of those who had a negative thinking that some progarmmes were introduced for certain people but since the campaign, I embraced the entrepreneurial spirit and started a project which is now thriving. I interacted with some people who provided mentoring and coaching towards the success of my project,” he added. 

Mr Katse challenged fellow young people to have the right mindset and strive towards achieving their dreams.

He said the government had created a conducive environment and it was upon them to play their role in order for the country to attain its aspiration of becoming a prosperous nation. Ends