28 Jan 2025

German embassy in collaboration with Chobe Holdings and Innovation Kgotla have launched a community innovation centre aimed at transforming Ngamiland innovation space through provision of information, communication and technology (ICT) transfer skills. 

The community innovation centre is an initiative by Innovation Kgotla, a citizen-owned company that strives to positively impact the youth by providing free training, coaching and opportunities in ICT. 

Through their partnership, the embassy funded the project to the tune of over P200 000 while Chobe Holdings sponsored training equipment and purchased computers for the centre located at Boseja/Kubung ward. 

Speaking during the launch of the centre yesterday, German ambassador, Ms Gabriela Bennemann appreciated the facility saying it complemented government efforts to drive transformation with digital technologies and improve citizens’ quality of life. 

She however implored the community to embrace the digital space to better the quality of their lives noting that through digitalisation, they could facilitate opportunities across all sectors. 

Digital technology, she said, had transformed nearly every aspect of modern life citing work, travel, communications, education and entertainment. 

Further, she said professionals could also leverage technology to enhance business processes. 

“As the embassy, we are very proud to support the project because members of the community will be able to access information easily, learn and utilize available opportunities that would eventually improve their lives,” added Ms Bennemann. 

Chobe Holdings chief executive officer, Mr John Gibson concurred that technology was the way to go and encouraged the community to take advantage of the facility to equip themselves with essential skills, knowledge and confidence to navigate the digital landscape. 

He said the facility would enable them to access digital information and better their lives. 

He also called on government and other stakeholders to digitize information saying that ‘we want to see services and legislations accessible in the internet’. 

Chobe Holdings, he said was committed to support the community it operated within, through initiatives aimed to improve their livelihoods. 

Member of Parliament for Maun East, Mr Goretetse Kekgonegile thanked Innovation Kgotla for the initiative and believed that members of the community especially youth would use technology meaningfully. 

He said every sector nowadays communicated through the digital space,  be it social media and Internet, adding that young people could seek job opportunities and upgrade their studies through technology. 

He also said the centre would reduce distance travelled by residents to access ICT services citing that farmers had embraced technology as they processed everything through the digital space. 

Innovation Kgotla director, Mr Peter Fella appreciated partnership saying the project would indeed bridge the digital divide, empower communities with ICT and innovation to increase their economic opportunities as well as support sustainable economic development. 

Access to the internet and digital technologies, he said had become a fundamental aspect of modern life and as the organisation, they wanted to expand the initiative to other communities to benefit. 

He was hopeful the initiative would inspire future innovators. 

Mr Fella also thanked the German embassy and Chobe Holdings for making his dream come true citing that some community members had graduated from ICT training. ENDS