18 Oct 2023

Free Internet connectivity in government facilities around the country has been hailed as a welcome development in pursuit of knowledge-based economy, but government has been urged to guard against abuse of the initiative.

Speaking in an interview with Olekantse Sennamose after the streaming of the launch of the initiative at Gaborone West Customary Court yesterday, residents said they wished government could keep an eye on the proper usage of the smartbots Internet.

Mr Peter Oganetswe, 45, of Phase I, said a way should be found to instantly block those that misuse it.

He however, said the initiative was good as technology had become a part of everyday lives.

“It will enable us to communicate with ease, free of charge. I have been using it since 2022 when I bought a smart phone and most of the time I use it for social media and to look for jobs, watch the news and other live events like HE’s kgotla meetings,” he said.

Ms Gaone Mpoloka of Block 5 said government should consider extending the free wifi to other public areas such as recreational parks.

The 32-year-old said that due to the distance to Mophane Primary Schools, the only government facility connected to SmartBots internet in her area, has not been able to use the free Internet often.

Morula councillor, Ms Khukhie Moremi said SmartBots Internet would help ease communication between community leaders and their constituents, especially the youth, who are more techno savvy.

“It will also make children techno savvy from a young age, which is a good foundation for a knowledge-based economy,” she said.

Ms Moremi also urged the elderly to embrace the Internet.

She implored government to extend the Internet to all the wards, and install it in all public places such as community halls.

In an interview with Lesedi Thatayamodimo after the launch, Segoditshane Primary School head Ms Goitseone Pandor said with the world rapidly evolving into digital environment, the demand for digital increasing.

Ms Pandor said the transition from a book to ‘the tip of the finger’ learning was taking shape and it was time for Batswana to embrace it.

She said the digital revolution was important in benefitting students not only in their educational activities, but also enable them to compete globally.

She emphasised the role of foundational digital skills for lifelong learning, adding that SmartBots initiative was on point.

She further said the growth of technology and the expansion of access to the Internet would create new opportunities for learners, making digital skills essential to succeeding in the modern world as well as attain a knowledge-based economy as Botswana desires.

Ms Pandor said beside educational purposes the SmartBots internet had eased work in terms of time and travel.

“The submission of official documents has been shortened as there is no need for travel,” highlighted Ms Pandor, further adding that with shortage of text books, they were able to download and or read electronically.

Nevertheless, she warned against the use of cellphones in the classroom by teachers as it could affect their concentration leading to poor results.

Standard Six pupil, Bakang Tsayang said the digital skills revolution offerede a Motswana child an opportunity to stay ahead and play alongside others elsewhere.

Bakang said although their school did not have a computer lab, it was upon every parent to ensure that children got access, adding that ‘acquiring digital skill was no longer a luxury, but a necessity’.

He said he already had the opportunity to study ahead, as he studied with cousins outside Gaborone, ‘just because they are good at a certain subject’. He is also able to research to broadens his understanding as well as revise for examinations.

“The Internet motivates and makes learning more fun,” said Bakang, adding that with the SmartBots Internet in every remote primary school, performance would improve.

Segoditshane Ward Development Community secretary, Mr Nametso Motsumi said the Internet was a good initiative that abled the youth  to study and research.

He said time and again, Maoka JSS pupils visit Segoditshane Primary School to study through Internet. She encouraged them to use it to enhance their interpersonal relations, including critical thinking and communication.

Mr Motsumi said if not used wisely, it would result of peer pressure, and urged them to guard against criminal activities such as kidnapping, and suicide.

Kgosi Richard Kwapa of Broadhurst Customary Court said free Internet under Smartbots had proven to be popular in his court.

In an interview with Bonang Masolotate, Kgosi Kwapa said since the kgotla was connected to free Internet, a lot of people in the community had been frequenting the place to tap into the opportunity.

“I find them here every morning,” Kgosi Kwapa said, adding that even at 12 midnight, it was possible to find people there.

He said such people’s presence also helped to keep criminals away as they also provided company to the security guards in the area.

Community member, Ms Gosalamang Masake (45), said free Internet in public facilities would go a long way in helping students in their academic journey.

She said such was so because it would be freely accessible to everyone, adding that the village connectivity initiative was a welcome development.

Another resident, Ms Khumoetsile Harry (65) expressed her gratitude for the technology path the government was taking.

“At first it looked impossible. I am happy that it has been made possible,” Ms Harry said.

She said as an elder, she was using Internet to boost her tree selling business.

Apart from that, Ms Harry said she used free internet for financial transactions as well as to connect with friends and families members.

In a conversation with Thato Mosinyi, Gaborone West resident Ms Malebogo  Baiile commended the SmartBots initiative on its proposition to drive transformation across the economy.

“It is commendable that the initiative aims to move Botswana towards the knowledge-based economy through taking advantage of the opportunities presented by the fourth industrial revolution,” she said.

The retired school teacher was optimistic that the youth would fully optimise the initiative to co-create data-driven products and services that leverage on digital technologies.

Another elderly resident, Mr Bathusi Koosimile said it was pleasing that the  initiative was also geared towards developing  smart farming to guarantee food supply and prioritise food sustainability.

Mr Koosimile highlighted the need for the initiative to be fully rolled  out to rural farming  areas to create an enabling environment  for agriculture to strive, while at the  same time  addressing the  rural–urban migration.

Meanwhile, Street vendor, Mr Daniel Kaisara was skeptical of the impact of the initiative on low income-earning citizenry,  saying a lot of them could not afford gadgets.

“Tota  rona ba  ba ’kobo  dikhutswane  re  mo mosing  fela, ka gore ga re na  tsone  ditlamelo  tsa go re  gokaganya mo maranyaneng. Ga re itse  gore  rona  mo Kasi lenaneo  leo, le re tshwaretse eng  straight,” Mr  Kaisara  said.

He further decried poor ICT infrastructure, saying it would hinder smooth implementation of the initiative.

Additionally, Mr Kaisara  cautioned  that the initiative could  promote cyber crime and  cyber  bulling if  not  well monitored.   

Interacting with BOPA scribe Lorato Gaofise at Old Naledi Customary Court, the residents  hailed the SmartBots project for its limitless opportunities that would help improve the lives of Batswana.

Old Naledi’s Kgosi Motlhatswi Pule expressed delight that SmartBots, through its digital inclusiveness initiatives, would help enhance service delivery and reduce paper work as well as queues.

Kgosi Pule encouraged Batswana to embrace the free high-speed Internet availed at dikgotla, clinics, libraries and schools to improve their lives.

Naledi Business Community chairperson, Ms Ntebaleng Modise expressed gratitude that the SmartBots project would help improve and grow small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) through markets penetration.  

“This to us is a life-changing opportunity, because we are now going to afford to advertise our products and services in different social media platforms and also to communicate with our clients anytime and anywhere with ease,” she said. ENDS