12 Aug 2024

The proceeds of the 2024 Mascom Batanani walk will support Cybersmart Botswana.

Mascom Batanani walk partnered with Cybersmart Botswana, a company committed to supporting digital safety through educational initiatives in partnership with UNICEF. 

Speaking at the end of the sixth edition of the 10km Mascom Batanani walk on Saturday, Her Excellency First Lady Neo Masisi said the funds raised would enable Cybersmart Botswana to launch a national campaign aimed at educating secondary schools leaners about digital safety.

She said the Cybersmart Botswana nationwide project in secondary schools would impart students with the knowledge and skills in order for them to make informed decisions online.

She said the Internet was an incredible resource for learning, connection and growing, but could also present significant risks, especially for young people who could not always recognise the dangers that were lurking online.

She explained that the risks ranged from cyber scam, cyber bullying, and exposure to inappropriate content as well as online gender based violence (GBV).

She said the digital world could be a danger to navigate particularly for vulnerable young people and the elderly who may not be technologically savvy.

“By stepping up into the digital safety, we are stepping a stand for the future of our society where there are billions of Internet users,” she said.

She said it is estimated that from April, there were 5.4 billion of Internet users, which amounted to 67 per cent of the global population.

Of the total, she explained, 5.07 per cent or 67 per cent were social media users.

In her welcome remarks, Mascom Chief Executive Officer, Zani-Makhwadi Seboni explained that the main aim of the Mascom Batanani walk was to address social issues such as GBV, child protection and drug abuse, amongst others.

She said the walk was more than a physical activity but a demonstration of collective strength and determination for change.

“It is a demonstration that change is with you and the Mascom Batanani walk is merely to address social issues,” she added. 

As a digital service provider, she said Mascom Wireless was committed to its continuous engagement with the communities that it is doing business with.

This year’s walk was held under the theme; Stepping Towards Digital Safety, A Mission That Concerns Everyone. ends