- launches Digital Independence Drive in partnership with Chobe Holdings, German Embassy
The Innovation Kgotla in partnership with Chobe Holdings and the German Embassy yesterday launched the Digital Independence Drive initiative aimed at transforming 60 Kgotlas across Botswana into accessible, trusted gateways for digital skills, innovation, and locally driven solutions.
As Botswana will be celebrating 60 years of independence, through the initiative, the organisation aims to ensure that independence in the next era is not only political, but digital.
Innovation Kgotla believes the nation stands at a pivotal moment where the foundations of the past must now carry the ambitions of the future shaping the next sixty years, and that calls for a generation prepared to shape the next destiny.
The framework aligns directly with President Duma Boko’s call for digitisation and youth empowerment.
Speaking at the launch this past Thursday, Innovation Kgotla Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Peter Fella emphasised, “as we look ahead to the next 60 years, we need a new generation to guide us into this new time. It is clear that we cannot avoid technology, digital economy, digital science and artificial intelligence.”
He stressed that their goal is for young people, in or out of school to actively learn these skills, getting the insights and being part of rising job opportunities.
“As we mark the 60 years of independence lets take this opportunity to go forward the next 60 years with digital confidence, national pride and inclusive innovation,” stressed Fella who invited corporates and government bodies to partner with them. He also urged the youth that ICT digital and data skills are critical, advising them to be qualified in the sector.
For his part, Chobe Holdings Limited Group CEO, John Gibson added that there is no better way of empowering people than providing them with the skills required to thrive in the modern world.
He advised that while the nation must remain true to its values in which it was founded, it must however fuse those values with the understanding of technology and where it will take them.
“At Chobe we are delighted to work in partnership with others to ensure that this happens and that is why we have partnered with Innovation kgotla. We are pleased to support the digital independence drive because it can only be by embracing digital that we will achieve true independence.”
Earlier on, Innovation kgotla CEO mentioned that the initiative is launched on the backdrop of other successes. He highlighted that for the past three years they have enrolled over 2500 locals in their annual data science scholarship programme across the country.
In addition, through the partnership of the Chobe Holdings Limited, he revealed that they have empowered over 500 school going children in STEM & ICT trainings. Also, in partnership with Chobe Holdings Limited, German Embassy and Abaricom, the organisation has also launched their first community innovation center in Maun.
One of the beneficiaries of the data science scholarship programme, Uritiera Hange appreciated that it has helped her advance her studies and also gain practical exposure that she needed. This as the information technology graduate noted that their studies were focused on theory and they had limited practical exposure.
“What attracted me to the programme is that it combines technology, problem solving and real-world of work. It is even more hands-on and uses data to drive decisions and solutions.”
Hange is grateful that Innovation Kgotla and its partners have through the programme transformed her from being a scholar to a data science graduate with real hands-on experience.
