09 Dec 2014

The management of Botswana Wildlife Training Institute (BWTI) in Maun has been praised for producing a skilled and knowledgeable workforce in the wildlife and tourism industry.

Speaking during the 32nd graduation ceremony of a batch of graduates in professional tour guiding and wildlife management and conservation, the acting permanent secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Dr Mmasera Manthe-Tsuaneng said BWTI had since 1980 consistently provided skilled and knowledgeable wildlife rangers and wardens who enabled the country to build capacity for wildlife management in the public sector.

She said the continued strong demand for training at BWTI from the public and private sectors both locally and from the SADC region was indicative of the fact that programmes offered were of high quality. 

In addition, she said it was supported by the fact that all programmes of training offered at the institute as well as lecturers and assessors were quality assured and accredited by the Botswana Quality Authority (BQA).

Dr Manthe-Tsuaneng also pointed out that the admission of students from Malawi in 2014 was testimony to the growth of the institute in the provision of vocational training that was relevant both to the national and regional skills and knowledge needs for wildlife and tourism development.

Meanwhile, the agt. permanent secretary said the government was concerned with the escalation of illegal off-take of wildlife resources leading to some species declining in their numbers to unviable populations.

“This is coupled with the impacts of the growing human population, global warming and uncertain economic predictions which may have far reaching consequences on the quality of livelihoods, especially among the rural communities whose economies and livelihoods are dependent on the utilization of natural resources,” she added.

Dr Manthe-Tsuaneng observed that it also may have long term negative impacts on the potential development of the wildlife-based tourism in the country.

She stated that her ministry would continue to strategically allocate resources to build requisite training capacity at BWTI and transform it into an internationally reputable institution for the provision of quality market-relevant vocational education in wildlife and natural resources conservation and tourism development.

She urged the graduates to apply what they had learnt in the world of work noting that they were expected to be dynamic, not static in applying the knowledge and skills learned to meet the challenges of this era of science and technology.

For his part, the acting BWTI principal, Mr Dimpho Sebotho thanked staff for their support and commitment to contributing to the development of the skills and knowledge of labour force in Botswana.

He said BWTI was a tertiary institution specializing in the training of individuals whose interest was saving natural environment and the wild creature that inhabit it. 

He said the institute involved both theory and field work that required specialized equipment to deliver and attain set quality and standards.

Mr Sebotho also pointed out that the graduates had undergone skills development and knowledge enhancement training for a period ranging from six months to two years and urged graduates to apply the skills they acquired towards work and clients.

“Be reminded that the government has identified tourism which is predominantly wildlife based as an engine of socio-economic growth. The sector has potential to play a pivotal role in poverty eradication in rural areas where the resources and poverty are announced,” he added.

He urged graduates to go back to work and serve the nation with due diligence, dedication and more importantly with respect in order to help the government to achieve the noble development agenda. ENDS