14 May 2014

Selebi Phikwe will host this year’s commemorations of the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) on May 17.

This year’s WTISD will be held under the theme “Broadband for sustainable development” and the guest speaker at the event is expected to be Vice Chancellor of Botswana International University of Science Technology, Prof Hillary Inyang.

The purpose of WTISD is to help raise awareness about the possibilities that the use of the internet and other information communication technologies (ICT) can bring to societies and economies.

The WTISD also explores ways to bridge the digital divide. In an interview, Selebi Phikwe deputy district commissioner, Mr Orapeleng Modimoopelo said preparations for the event are at an advanced stage and the Local Organizing Committee is on the ground working on final touches to make the event a success. He added that the WTISD commemorations will be held at the Selebi Phikwe stadium.

“All stakeholders, residents of Selebi Phikwe and surrounding villages are invited to take part in the event.

We have a number of events lined up throughout the week until the main event on May 17,” he said.

Mr Modimoopelo also revealed that the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) will spearhead the event while the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) will be coordinating all activities. He also said the deputy district commissioners office will oversee implementation of all activities.

For his part, the convener of the WTISD publicity committee, Mr Amogelang Mojuta, said a ‘Girls and ICT’ event will be held on May 14 -15 prior to the main event on Saturday.

He said on May 14 they will visit the Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) treatment plant and then host a career fair the following day.

He said the objective of the ‘Girls and ICT’ event is to encourage girls and young women to pursue careers in the growing ICT sector.

Different stake holders or organizations have been invited to the career fair to share information on careers in the ICT world with young women and girls from Selebi Phikwe. He also revealed that today a WTISD beauty contest sponsored by Mascom will be held at Makhubu club hall. ENDS