25 Jun 2020

Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) has donated 10 000 litres of sanitisers to Central District Council to be used in the fight against COVID-19.

Handing over the donations in Serowe on June 24, the vice chancellor of BIUST Professor Otlogetswe Totolo said BIUST had joined hands with government  in mitigating the spread of Covid-19 by undertaking several projects such as the production of bar and liquid soaps, production of sanitisers, development of drone sprayers and development of dashboard for visualisation.

This is the second time that BIUST has been in Serowe to lend a helping hand in the fight against COVID-19 scourge. They have donated both liquid and bar soaps for use by the community to regularly wash hands to reduce the chance of infection by the disease.

Professor Totolo however noted that all products that were developed to assist government to fight COVID-19 had been received with joy and excitement by different communities countrywide.

“We have already donated P1 million to the COVID-19 relief fund being a contribution from  the staff”, he said. In addition, he said BIUST had distributed more than 40 000 of liquid soaps and 21 000 of bar soaps in every district.

Prof. Totolo said the donations culmination of a partnership with Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation and DE BEERS as a sponsor.

He said DE BEERS sponsored the project to the tune of P1 million from which BIUST was to produce 20 000 litres of sanitiser and BITRI another 20 000 litres.

Professor Totolo said, “This is another reflection of industrial partnership as BIUST’s major contribution is the skills and expertise by the staff who tirelessly worked on the formulation and manufacturing of these sanitisers, which are in accordance with the World Health Organisation’s standards.”  

Receiving the donations, the district commissioner, Mr Rapetse Mathumo said he was delighted to receive the donations from BIUST. He said there was a need to collaborate further and impact on the lives of the community during the trying time of COVID-19 pandemic.

He said as the Central District they pride themselves with having BIUST as an institution of higher learning among themselves because the community had benefitted a lot from them.

Senior Assistant Council Secretary (SACS) for SAA Mr Rampootho Kedikilwe appreciated the efforts made by BIUST.  

He said the donations would help in the fight against COVID-19 in Serowe and they would take them to the community as requested and thanked the sponsors who made the donations possible. ENDS