24 Aug 2022

A clear path for the development of human capital is essential to provide direction towards the realisation of Vision 2036, Minister of Education and Skills Development, Dr Douglas Letsholathebe has said.

Speaking at the start of national science week in Masunga, Dr Letsholathebe said Botswana had through Vision 2036, defined her development path to transform from an upper middle income country to a high income country by 2036.

Dr Letsholathebe said the ministry’s mandate was therefore, to produce a competent human resource, as the country moves towards the realisation of the Vision 2036, which espouses “prosperity for all”.

He said the ministry had also been mandated to ensure that Batswana “have the requisite skills that transform them into a productive workforce, not only for the domestic market, but also for the global economy”.

The minister said the vision clearly stipulated that human capital played a critical role in the development of the economy and that investment in it could be used to produce human resources that drive growth across the economic sectors.

He said his ministry had thus established relevant structures and developed policies and programmes that sought to drive this essential part of the vision.

On other issues, Dr Letsholathebe stated that the North East region was already contributing to the economy of Botswana through production of millet, sorghum, beef and horticultural products.

He said there was need to embrace the whole value chain brought about by the Morula project, particularly its drink and jam, adding that universities and research institutions were ready to help achieve the goal.

He said the people of North East District had been preserving their food in different ways that include mpale (dried sweet melons), adding “Let us improve on these ways and embrace technology to improve them”.

Dr Letsholathebe also called for cooperation and transparency in dealing with herbs used to heal illnesses, saying scientists could help improve on them.

 “We can patent the ideas as individuals or groups so that we continue to benefit from them,” he added.

Meanwhile, the event also saw the unveiling and handing over of a vehicle designed  by a resident of Masunga, 31-year-old, Batshani Sekoto.

Mr Sekoto designed the vehicle in conjunction with the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST).

BIUST Vice Chancellor, Professor Otlogetswe Totolo said the university continued to interact with different people on research and innovation, citing Mr Sekoto an example.

He said the partnership with Mr Sekoto was to add value from a scientific point of view to what he had already made, adding “this is a clear demonstration by our university that we are connected to work with communities”.

In an interview, Mr Sekoto thanked BIUST for partnering with him, saying such partnerships were critical in embracing technology. BOPA