25 Aug 2026

Government has deliberately positioned Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a cornerstone of economic transformation, placing them as a first choice to innovation, industrial growth, entrepreneurship, productivity and national competitiveness. This emanates from the belief that skilled hands build strong economies and skilled minds build prosperous nations therefore, actions should match that belief.

“To demonstrate the importance the government attaches to the TVET transformation agenda, only last week, the ministry tabled and successfully defended the National Technical and Vocational Education Policy in Parliament,” said Minister of Higher Education, Mr Prince Maele.

He was speaking on Monday in Gaborone, during the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Agreement by the Ministry of Higher Education and MMG Khoemacau, to establish a Centre of Mining Excellence in Botswana that would address critical skills gap in the mining sector.

Minister Maele explained that the policy provided a national blueprint for repositioning TVET as a strategic driver of Botswana’s socio-economic transformation and transition towards a knowledge based economy.

He said the mining industry remained one of Botswana’s key economic pillars yet, the future of mining would not be measured solely by the minerals extracted from the soil but increasingly by knowledge created, the technologies mastered, the innovations generated and the skills cultivated around the industry.

“We may count tonnes of ore, revenues, exports and production figures and, rightly so. But history will judge us by another measure, a measure that cannot be captured in a balance sheet: how many young people discovered a talent they did not know they possessed? How many students walked into a classroom and saw for the first time, a future they could imagine for themselves? That is the deeper meaning of this partnership. That is return on our investment,” he said.

Furthermore, Minister Maele said government was creating a place where talent met opportunity through the Mining Centre of Excellence, where learning met industry and ambition met possibility. He said the mining sector possessed expertise, resources, technology and practical experience whereas the education sector possessed the mandate and responsibility to cultivate human potential.

“When these strengths come together, the possibilities are extraordinary,” he said.

The partnership with MMG Khoemacau sends a powerful message to young people that their talent, skills and future matter because the country believes in them.

MMG Khoemacau chairperson, Mr Chen Dexin, said delivering real benefits for people, securing long term interest for communities and laying a foundation for future regional economic growth was a worthwhile initiative.

Mr Chen said through the centre, they would bring together strength from all sectors of the society so that more people could share the benefits brought by mining development.

 “We will work closely with all partners in sincere cooperation, fully support Botswana’s economic and social progress and make the bond of China, Botswana friendship stronger, passing it on from one generation to another,” he said.

For her part, Minister of Minerals and Energy, Ms Bogolo Kenewendo, underscored that skills sharing and transfer were top priorities for the development and expansion of Khoemacau.

She highlighted that community development around the mine, support for the industrialisation agenda, corporate social responsibility and labour management were equally critical.

She emphasised that MMG Khoemacau remained fully aligned with national priorities as a corporate citizen of Botswana and a joint custodian of the country’s mineral reserves.

The signing of the agreement, she noted, embodied the expectations and ongoing collaboration between government and key industry players. ENDS