26 Sep 2022

 Indigenous knowledge should be packaged and patented such that it benefits Batswana who are proficient on topics of environment and tourism. 

Giving a keynote address at the University of Botswana 40 years celebrations in Maun on Thursday, Minister of Environment and Tourism Ms Philda Kereng stated that her ministry would craft regulations to ensure indigenous knowledge did not leave Botswana without benefiting the people who shared it. 

She highlighted that in most cases foreign filmmakers came to Botswana to shoot documentaries where they interviewed Batswana living in tourist destinations following which the filmmakers would use the information gathered to make millions in their respective countries. 

As such, she said storytellers who shared their knowledge about the Okavango Delta should protect their voices. 

 “Let’s tell our own stories as Batswana through photography, dialogue, poetry, and films and compile them on portals to share with the rest of the world,’’ she said. 

She stated that Batswana should capitalise on digital platforms and start telling their own stories rather than people coming from elsewhere to compile a Botswana story. Ms Kereng said UB played a critical role in research which aided government in many ways to formulate policies. 

The Minister stated that the University of Botswana’s story proved that a united nation could achieve more due to the fact that it was built through Batswana coming as one to donate a beast, an initiative termed Motho le Motho Kgomo. 

She commended UB for having produced over 84 000 graduates since its inception in 1982 adding that some of UB alumni had competed internationally with academia from other universities. 

She stated that it was important for her ministry to work closely with the Okavango Research Institute (ORI) to carry out research on conservation, climate change and preservation of natural resources. 

In his remarks, UB Vice Chancellor Professor David Norris stated that it was profound for UB to celebrate 40 years in Maun where the University’s research institute ORI was housed. 

He highlighted that UB and ORI stories were similar in the sense that both institutions existed because of the spirit of unity from Batswana. 

Professor Norris said the ORI campus in Sexaxa sat on a piece of land owned by the Kengalogile family who cordially gave it to ORI in 2003. 

The vice chancellor said ORI had become a global institution recognised worldwide with plans to expand and become a centre of research in Africa and beyond before 2029. He said ORI conducted research in Ngamiland to benefit local communities in areas of ecosystems, water and natural resources management and climate change. 

Furthermore, he noted that UB was working on the socioeconomic benefits of the biodiesel project launched recently in partnership with Debswana to power their operations with their biodiesel. 

Batawana regent Kgosi Kealetile Moremi congratulated UB for celebrating 40 years of producing many graduates who were well educated and accomplished. 

She said ORI evoked a sense of pride for Ngamiland, having played a pivotal role in ensuring Okavango Delta natural resources were protected and preserved. ENDS