22 Oct 2024

Botswana Telecommunications Corporation has handed over the refurbished Pandamatenga reading room to the community. 

The refurbishment of Pandamatenga reading room, which cost P219 000, follows a commitment made by BTC during the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day commemoration in Pandamatenga in May where residents pleaded with telecommunications stakeholders to revamp the village reading room.

Delivering a keynote address at the handing over ceremony on Monday, the Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications, Knowledge and Technology, Mr Lesedi Gaolaolwe, stated that the refurbishment of the reading room to modern standards was aligned to government’s drive of accelerating digital transformation.

Mr Gaolaolwe underscored the need for communities to embrace digitalisation as it drove personal development and contributed to economic growth.

He said digitilisation was pivotal in enabling Botswana to attain a high income status as it had proven so in high income countries.

He said government, through the SmartBots, village connectivity project provided free internet in public places targeting 500 villages of which 144 had already been connected.

The permanent secretary said the projected expansion of the national broadband backbone infrastructure would incorporate upgrading of mobile network coverage along the Nata- Kasane road.

He commended the BTC for their contribution in telecommunications, adding that the reading room enhanced connectivity between the people of Pandamatenga and the rest of the world.

BTC Board Chairperson, Mr Mokgethi Magapa, stated that the revamping entailed re-painting the interior and exterior walls, installing air-condition unit , a fire suppression system, new computer stations desks and chairs, cabling for internet and procurement of five new computers.

He said BTC made commitment to leave a legacy in Pandamatenga because it had a direct impact on youth development and promoted digital literacy.

“We have laid a foundation for young people and adults to read, research and use technology and we believe many lives will be touched by this reading room,” he said.

Mr Magapa said this was a sustainable investment for future generations and that the reading room aimed to stimulate curiosity and learning about current affairs.

Kgosi Rebecca Banika of Pandamatenga said internet connectivity was essential in  modern society more so that government programmes were accessible online.

She implored residents to use the reading room efficiently and further urged young people to desist from roaming along the main road  and spend time at the reading room.

She thanked the BTC for investing in Pandamatenga, a gesture she noted, would go a long way in bridging the digital divide and changing lives. Ends