16 Oct 2018

Botswana Institute for Technology Research Innovation (BITRI) has handed over a solar electricity project to one of the poverty eradication beneficiaries, Mr Chiswaniso Motsamai of Mabele in Chobe District.

Speaking at the handing over of the project, Assistant Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology, Mr Fidelis Molao said the project would not only enhance Mr Motsamai’s quality of life, but was also a true reflection of Vision 2036.

Mr Molao said through the gesture, BITRI was living the promise of Vision 2036 to ensure that the country pursued national aspirations in a way that enabled Botswana to meet the global and regional goals aligned with the global agenda for sustainable development and the principles of Africa Agenda 2063.

He said BITRI was making optimal use of natural resources which were free to transform and uplift Mr Motsamai’s livelihood.

“BITRI is reiterating Vision 2036 that in order for us to achieve the vision the transformation and progress we seek we should be driven by investment in innovation, research and development,” he said.

Mr Molao said  government encouraged Batswana to look out for each other and share what they had with the communities they lived in.

He said he was  humbled to see BITRI utilising its research focus area expertise to do a project that was in line with their mandate for a member of the Chobe community.

BITRI CEO, Professor Shedden Masupe said about 10 more poverty eradication projects across the country were awaiting to be handed over.

He said BITRI used research and innovation to diversify the economy, and that the solar electrification project for Mr Motsamai was one of the projects.

Professor Masupe said Botswana had quality solar energy that should be tapped into as it was under-utilised.

Earlier, Kgosi Kenneth Muyakwavo thanked  government for empowering disadvantaged people by improving their livelihoods.

He noted that council built a two-roomed house for Mr Motsamai, and that he was trained in leatherworks through the poverty eradication programme.

District poverty eradication coordinator, Ms Bontle Mmokele thanked BITRI for electrifying Mr Motsamai’s house when all hope was lost.

Ms Mmokele explained that over P300 000 was quoted by Botswana Power Corporation for the electrification of Mr Motsamai’s house and that BITRI came on board to electrify the house using solar energy.

She thanked the Mabele tribal leadership for their support since the project kicked off until its completion.

For his part, Mr Motsamai thanked BITRI and the poverty eradication office for their gesture towards him.

He requested that the gesture should not end with him but should be extended to other deserving Batswana as disability was not inability.

Chobe deputy council chairperson, Councillor Tengenyane Tuelo made an assurance that his council would continue to support poverty eradication beneficiaries and  implored the Mabele community to support Mr Motsamai and buy belts and other leather works from him. ENDS