17 Oct 2024

As Botswana embarks on its journey to becoming a digital powerhouse, the graduates of today hold the key to unlocking that potential, says the Chief Executive Officer of Orange Botswana Ms Nene Maiga.

Officiating at the  University of Botswana’s 42nd graduation ceremony today, where the university conferred degrees, masters and PhDs to graduands in different fields, Ms Maiga said graduates were the drivers of the economy.

“The future of our nation’s growth lies in your hands. Do not take this responsibility lightly. Whether you choose to enter the corporate world, healthcare, technology or education, your role in driving Botswana’s economic transformation is critical. Your skills, your knowledge, and your innovative spirit are what will push our country forward,” she said.

Ms Maiga encouraged graduates with an entrepreneurial spark to think about starting their own businesses.

“We are living in the age of the AI revolution, where new opportunities are emerging every day. AI and digital solutions are opening up avenues for innovation that were once unimaginable,” she said.

Ms Maiga encouraged the graduates to take advantage of emerging opportunities, use their skills to create solutions that could solve the country’s most pressing challenges, from healthcare to education to financial inclusion.

She said Botswana needed bold, visionary entrepreneurs to lead the way. She said she was confident that many of the graduates had what it took to ignite positive change.

Ms Maiga said graduation was not just a day of celebration, but a moment of reflection and anticipation for the future.

“Today, we celebrate your years of perseverance, hard work, and dedication, but we also celebrate the beginning of your journey as leaders, innovators, and change-makers in Botswana and beyond,” she said.

She said the theme of the graduation, Re-imagining Education as a Driver of Mindset Change, was deeply focused on what was happening.

Ms Maiga said Botswana was on the path to becoming a knowledge-based economy and the transformation called for a profound shift in approach to education, innovation, and leadership.

“It is no longer enough to accumulate knowledge,” she said adding that in the current system, the most successful individuals and organisations were those who constantly rethink, reimagine, and innovate.

She said the world was entering an era where learning, unlearning and relearning would be the most valuable skills.

Ms Maiga said Orange Botswana recognised that excellence was not an option but a necessity. She said the compnay believed in the power of performance, continuous improvement and innovation.

She said Orange Botswana believed that success was not accidental: “It is the result of consistent effort, strategic thinking and a relentless pursuit of greatness.”

Ms Maiga said the graduates had shown dedication, resilience and commitment to learning, the very qualities that made for outstanding leaders and professionals. She encouraged them to keep on learning, and never ever stop.

Ms Maiga said having graduated would not by any chance make their journey in life to be easy. Additionally, Ms Maiga said Orange Botswana was passionate about nurturing young talent and contributing to a brighter future for the country.

“We are excited about the possibility of collaborating with and welcoming some of you into our team in the near future,” she said.

She said education gave them the foundation to succeed, but the mindset they carried forward would determine the heights they will reach. She encouraged them to be fearless in the face of challenges.

UB Vice Chancellor Prof. David Norris said the event was not only to celebrate the years spent in university, culminating in hard work, dedication, perseverance but also to celebrate the bright future that lied ahead.

Prof. Norris urged the graduates to go into the world, embrace change, bring solutions to challenges and the continue learning.

“Remember what you got here is just the foundation for greater things to come,” he said.

He urged them to use their knowledge not only to advance their careers, but make a positive difference in the world.

“You have been equipped with the necessary tools to lead, inspire and innovative,” he said.

Prof Norris said their innovations and ideas must be channelled to good use and empower the economy. ENDS