17 Aug 2015

Botswana Press Agency (BOPA) scribe Puso Kedidimetse has won the SADC print media journalist of the year award beating all other competitors within the 15 member states. 

The prestigious award comes with a whooping P20 000 cash prize plus a certificate signed by the outgoing SADC chairperson President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe. 

A prolific feature writer, P.U as he is fondly called put faces to facts through a comprehensive story on the Kazungula bridge construction, a regional integration project that is expected to boost commerce and facilitate easy transportation of goods and services. 

“The project scope includes the building of a bridge linking Botswana and Zambia over the Zambezi River to replace the existing ferry and includes one- stop border post facilities at Kazungula,” reads a snapshot from Kedidimetse ’s winning story.

Being passionate about economic and political issues, the writer continued to unpack the commercial spinoffs that would arise from this long awaited conduit among them reduced border transit time, improved procedures on trade facilitation and improved border management operations.

Among his sources were Kgosi Morgan Makhanga of Kazungula in the Chobe District plus several truck drivers from across the SADC region who expressed their excitement over the development.

Kedidimetse is the reigning local Business Writer of the Year having won a tough contest during an annual awards ceremony organised by the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA).

Other Batswana recipients at the SADC summit awards were three young students who competed in the SADC secondary schools national competition.

The trio of Topo Tawana, Katlego Tamocha and Olorato Molaodi won themselves P5 000, P3 000, and P2 000 after being named champion, runner up and second runner up respectively.

In an interview, 14-year-old Tawana could not contain her excitement over winning the award.

“I still can’t believe President Mugabe kissed me on the cheek am excited with this whole experience,” she noted.

The Form two student at Gaborone West Secondary School attributed her glory to her teachers and parents whom she said encouraged her.

She stated that English is her favourite subject however noting that she would love to pursue medicine in future and earn a PHD.

She said the essay discussion topic Leveraging the regions diverse resources for social economic and sustainable development through value edition and beneficiation, challenged her to think broadly and do a lot of research which she treasures.

Tamocha and Molaodi also expressed how grateful they were for the opportunity and experience accorded them by SADC.

The duo concurred that shaking President Mugabe and receiving a kiss was the best part adding that this was once in a lifetime experience.

Tamocha said she aspires to be a medical research scientist because of her passion for science while Molaodi said she would love to become a doctor or engineer. ENDS