15 Aug 2021

The advent of drone technology has been described as a defining moment for service provision in Botswana.

Speaking during the launch of Drone Technology Centre and Drone Training Centre at Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) farm Friday, Vice President Mr Slumber Tsogwane said the technology signalled a breakthrough.

Mr Tsogwane, who is BUAN chancellor, said drone technology brought the much needed optimal productivity amid the COVID-19 pandemic which had brought to the fore the need for self-reliance in all sectors.

The technology it enabled performance of many functions which would ordinarily take many hours or days to execute when using human efforts.

Stating that technology augmented much needed efficiency, Mr Tsogwane said the country’s development objectives would not be achieved without embracing it.

“The use of drones has now become a key component of our lives in a world where movement efficiency is key, drones are playing a critical logistics part in that regard,” he said.

He stated that drones could be used in agriculture, disaster relief, real estate, construction, law enforcement and boarder control, delivery of essential medication in remote areas, anti-poaching and wildlife conservation and project inspection among others.

Mr Tsogwane commended the partnership between BUAN and Drone Technology Centre which he said was a clear and deliberate Public Private Partnership that reflected a commitment to invest in digital transformation.

He assured his audience that government fully supported  Drone Technology Centre and BUAN to service the nation.

The vice president applauded the company for including training in the venture revealing that the collaboration would result in the establishment of a drone academy at BUAN.

Mr Tsogwane said the initiative did not only help government in creating employment for youth but also recognised the girl child as a future leader in a challenging technology environment.

He expressed happiness at the fact that Drone Technology Centre was driven by a youthfuf, female assistant managing director who was also a highly skilled drone pilot, Ms Marang Mbaakanyi.

He said she demonstrated the success of the country’s education system in uplifting youth regardless of gender and background.

It was also a demonstration of the strides Botswana had made in promoting science, technology and mathematics disciplines, he said. 

 For her part, Ms Mbaakanyi said drone technology was an answer to all sectors of the economy.

She said the Drone Technology Centre offered services such as drone rental, training and consultations which was in line with digital transformation drive.

If fully utilised, she said, the services would improve efficiency and contribute to economic prosperity.

 

Ms Mbaakanyi pleaded with government to come up with policies that would support the use of high technology such as drones. ENDS