08 Apr 2026

In the quiet streets of Block 8 in Gaborone, Ms Ketshepile Lenao is stepping into a future she once thought was out of reach.

Not long ago, Ms Lenao faced one of life’s harshest turns. After being retrenched from a diamond company, she found herself navigating uncertainty in the bid to survive, eventually joining the Ipelegeng programme, a government initiative aimed at providing temporary employment.

For Ms Lenao, it was a lifeline, but not the future she had imagined.

“I never thought I would get into college, let alone for free,” she recalls.

Today, that narrative has changed, Ms Lenao is among ten beneficiaries selected for the inaugural New Era KAGO Scholarship Programme, a six-month initiative valued at over P250,000.

The programme offers full tuition for a Building and Construction course, opening doors to skills development and long-term employment opportunities.

The scholarship, a flagship Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, is a collaborative effort between the Gaborone Bonnington North constituency office and the Block 8 Chief’s Office.

Its goal is to uplift communities by investing in people who are eager for a second chance.

The programme marks a new chapter for Ms Lenao and her fellow participants.

For her, the opportunity is nothing short of life-changing.

“This opportunity came at no cost, and I will forever be grateful to God,” she said, her voice filled with emotion and determination.

Being part of the first cohort carries a sense of pride and responsibility and Ms Lenao is determined to make the most of it, vowing to fully commit to her studies and the possibilities they bring.

Beyond personal growth, she sees the training as a pathway to financial independence.

With skills in building and construction, she hopes to secure consistent work, take on projects and perhaps even create opportunities for others in the future.

“The course will help us find jobs and even create our own work,” she said, reflecting on the broader impact it could have in addressing unemployment.

Her story is one of resilience, a reminder that setbacks do not define the end of the road but can instead mark the beginning of something new.

As she prepares to step into the classroom, her journey stands as a testament to the power of opportunity, community support and the courage to keep going, even when the odds seem insurmountable.

Sharing at the KAGO scholarship launch, from the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs, Mr Bonnie Jim urges both the scholarship cohort and the broader workforce to strengthen their work ethics and commitment to productivity.

Mr Jim expresses concern over what he describes as a noticeable decline in productivity levels.

He points out issues of punctuality as a key indicator of the problem.

He emphasises the need for a cultural shift toward respecting time and professional commitments.

Mr Jim stresses that improving productivity is essential for national development and calls on individuals to take personal responsibility in their workplaces.

Touching on government’s position regarding vocational education, Mr Jim notes that Technical and Vocational Education and Training has become a global priority.

He underscores that governments cannot single-handedly drive progress in this area.

“TVET is a priority across the globe,” he says, adding that collective effort is required to make it effective.

He encourages investment in practical skills development, highlighting the importance of hands-on experience over purely theoretical knowledge.

According to Mr Jim, equipping individuals with practical competencies is key to improving both employability and productivity.

The first KAGO scholarship cohort initiative aims to support the Gaborone community while also fostering a culture of discipline, responsibility and skills development aligned with national and global demands. BOPA