17 Mar 2025

Vice President, Mr Ndaba Gaolathe has implored ABM University College graduates to be torchbearers of the new Botswana.

Speaking at the ABM University College 2023/2024 graduation ceremony in Gaborone on Friday, Mr Gaolathe said Botswana was entering a new era of economic inclusion, which was not policy on paper but a reality in practice, ‘an era where young people take the reins of progress and steer the nation to global excellence. He thus advised the graduates to see problems as opportunities to innovate and not seek comfort in the ordinary.

“Let your minds be restless with ideas. See problems not as obstacles but as opportunities to innovate. If the world lacks solutions, build them. If industries remain stagnant, disrupt them. If doors remain closed, create new ones,” he said.

Mr Gaolathe who is also the Minister of Finance said the transformation of Botswana’s economy would not be driven by government alone but by the risk-takers and thinkers of Botswana including the graduates of ABM. He said ABM had equipped graduates with knowledge, skills and ethical principles, adding that education evolved to find purpose on how it was applied.

The Vice President advised them to work with diligence in the next chapter, pursue excellence with unwavering commitment and never underestimate the value of character. He further said the lessons learnt at ABM were greater than the certificates, but the lessons learnt must build character.

In her welcome remarks, ABM Vice Chancellor, Ms Daisy Molefhi said they were developing entrepreneurial minds, visionary leaders with integrity.  Ms Molefhi said the graduation ceremony was also a celebration of a journey of almost four decades in driving a mandate of raising a generation of prosperous entrepreneurs and business leaders.

She said they continued to perfect their craft to instill an entrepreneurial mindset in the graduates, who would transform their organisations.

The Vice Chancellor said ABM mandate resonated with the aspirations of government as improved quality of life could not be realised without an intentional agenda of building sustainable businesses and creating prosperity.

She said they also believed the dream of making Botswana an education hub could be revived as it was still viable. She said the tertiary education space had grown with both private and public institutions significantly impacting the economy.

The 2023 Valectorian, Ms Wetsho Elefhang said her class was diverse with business leaders, marketing gurus and financial strategists in the making with commitment to excellence. ENDS