10 May 2018

Assistant Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology, Mr Fidelis Molao has commended Botswana Institute for Training Research and Innovation (BITRI) manufacturing plant for manufacturing Seding version II solar lamps. Touring the research based government institution on May 8, Mr Molao indicated that using the lamps rather than conventional electricity to illuminate streets across the country could save government costs.

To that end, Mr Molao, also Member of Parliament for Shashe West, encouraged government departments, especially district councils to take advantage and use such lamps, arguing that a once-off purchase of a lamp worth P17 000 with a lifespan of 20 years was a bargain. Mr Molao, however challenged the research institution to continue coming up with needs based products and innovations that could generate wealth for the nation, especially through export sales.

He said he was pleased that the company produced up to 150 lamps a week but urged them to scale up production as business progressed. He said the plant had a potential to become a hub of innovation. Mr Molao further advised BITRI to work hand in hand with Bonokopila Services Cooperative Society (BSCS).

The society comprises former employees of defunct Rural Industries Innovation Centre who used to operate machines, which the company had since inherited when the organisation closed shop. He said doing so could have mutual benefits for both parties than working in isolation. He explained that the spirit behind BITRI was to enhance research capacity in the nation’s quest to develop a knowledge-based economy.

BITRI chief executive officer, Professor Shedden Masupe said they partnered with BSCS after realising a demand for farm implements, which were formerly manufactured by RIIC. Professor Masupe however challenged BSCS to up their game and present a strong business case to BITRI. He shared that they currently sourced the casing of the lamps from South Africa and proffered that if the society could exhibit a bit more entrepreneurial spirit, BITRI was willing to give them business to replicate the products.

“I want to see an entrepreneurial spirit from them first,” he stressed. Deputy permanent secretary in the ministry, Dr Kekgonne Baipoledi challenged BITRI to utilise the machinery they had, particularly those inherited from RIIC, to spearhead research and innovation in the country rather than only ‘storing them like a museum.’

Dr Baipoledi also urged Batswana to use the lamps, saying they were durable, useful and beautiful. He said BITRI’s vision was to activate Batswana into coming up with innovations that could enhance their livelihoods.
Manufacturing plant supervisor, Mr David Chabi said the machinery was capable of operating 24 hours.

Another plant supervisor, Ms Nobuhle King informed the minister that the lamps used Light Emitting Diode (LED), which, she said, worked better than bulbs. “It doesn’t burn out, again it seals water out,” she explained.

Ms King said the battery, which still charged during a cloudy day, had a lifespan of five to eight years. She said the brain of the lamp, otherwise called the circuit board, was BITRI owned and manufactured. Bonokopila representative, Mr Mokgomong Oageng said business was a bit slow because they lacked resources and as a result worked part time. He said a substantial injection of capital into the venture could see them commercialise and maximise profits.

Kanye Administrative Authority chairperson, Mr Tlhomamo Dibeela, expressed gratitude that BITRI had partnered with former RIIC employees. Mr Dibeela, however, argued that more still needed to be done to capacitate them to operate at a commercial level. Ends