UASF PRESENTS

MEDIA GRADUATES TRAINING PROGRAMME

The Botswana C o m m u n i c a t i o n s Regulatory Authority ( BOCRA) through the Universal Access and Service Fund ( UASF) is proud to present a team of 20 young talented media graduates from various universities to work with the Department of Broadcasting Services ( DBS) under an apprenticeship model for a period of three years. The Media Graduates training programme took effect from 1 April 2021.

Speaking during the launch of the Media Graduates Training Programme Honourable Thulagano Segokgo, Minister of Transport and Communications said the Botswana broadcasting sector, particularly commercial broadcasting, has a large room for growth in terms of geographic coverage and programming content.

He said the challenge for the graduates was to strive to amass as much practical experience as possible and thereafter commit to telling the Botswana story.

“Tell it so well that foreign content will become irrelevant. We must come to a point where local content dominates airwaves of all our media houses,” the Minister said, adding that over the years, Batswana were exposed to South African broadcast content mainly because the South African media industry offers practical experience to its citizens and offers more programming variety.

“We have to work very hard to create content that will build loyalty among Batswana viewership. We need our local soapies, drama, reality shows, documentaries, competitions, and other programmes that will have the effect of gluing Batswana to their television screens. We already have a few local programmes that Batswana identify with, but they are not enough.”

He advised the trainees to develop content that will, among others, address the needs of young people as the biggest constituency in the use of ICTs. “Go out and develop content that meets their convenience. Content that will be consumed across all media platforms that young people frequent. I will also be expecting you to create employment opportunities for other young people. With the experience you will acquire through this programme, you should be able to access Youth Development Funding to create employment for other young people,” the minister told the trainees.

Also speaking during the launch, Ms Tsaone Ruth Thebe, BOCRA Board Chairperson highlighted that BOCRA and DBS entered into a Memorandum of Agreement, the objective of which is to collaborate with a view to building content development capacity. She emphasised that availability of relevant good quality content is essential for the uptake of ICT services.

Chairperson Thebe posited that, as a society, Botswana was consuming more foreign than

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

local content as evidenced the education system is forced to facilitate the use of ICTs in those that mandate,” Mr Mokgware

DESIGNATION OF PUBLIC POSTAL OPERATORS

amount of royalties that Copyright partially operate on the virtual schools. said.

Society of Botswana ( COSBOTS) space. Businesses are forced to The UASF also sponsored He said local creatives are an paid out to foreign artists annually. change their approach or models The Botswana installation Communications of FM radio Regulatory transmitters Authority integral ( BOCRA part or the of a Authority) digital society is a body in She further said, “local content in order to remain profitable. Corporate The to established increase in terms signal of distribution Section 3 of the of Communications that they are Regulatory central to Authority the uptake Act,

2012 ( No 19 of 2012) hereinafter referred to as “the Act”. BOCRA is charged with a mandate

discussion has been at the centre creative sector is forced to find private broadcasters to areas that and usage of ICTs, contribute

to promote efficiency in the provision of communications services in Botswana including,

of continuous debate between ways to monetise its talent and until now did not receive private to the economy, promote and

telecommunications, Internet, Broadcasting and Postal services. The Authority is mandated in broadcast licensees and artists. craft on the digital platforms. terms Even of Section broadcaster 67 of the Act FM to make radio a recommendation signal. preserve to the national Minister on identity the designation as well Often licensees argue that there government has to be digital”. of Public Postal These Operator. include Hukuntsi, Sojwe as cultural diversity. “It is for this is limited good quality local He highlighted that since its Takatokwane, Malwelwe and reason that the UASF found it content to fill up their airwaves, inception in 2014, the In UASF view thereof, Salajwe. BOCRA All would the five like transmitters to invite locally important registered Postal to explore Service avenues operators for to a reason that artists vehemently had been creating tracks express with interest in these in the Provision villages of provide Public Postal 50km Services engaging under the the Act. The Media Act clearly Graduates outlines oppose”. She concluded that it communications services across the rights and radius, obligations providing of a Public private Postal Operator radio in under Botswana, section 68 in through partnership to section with 72.

PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE

was with this background in mind the country in unserved and station services to 42 settlements DBS. The partnership is even

A copy of the Act is available on the BOCRA website at www. bocra. org. bw for reference.

that BOCRA and DBS signed the underserved areas. and villages with a population of more important during these Memorandum of Agreement. The He added that the Fund 32,290. “While extending internet trying times.” Added Mokgware.

Alternatively, a hard copy may be obtained from the BOCRA Head Office at Plot 50671 programme launch followed the had facilitated provision Independence of connectivity Avenue, Gaborone. and FM services, The UASF is a fund signing of MoA on September 24, WiFi hotspots in public places the UASF acknowledges and established by BOCRA to extend 2020. across the country. The Interested Fund, recognises parties are therefore that content required is King. to submit detailed Information business plans Communication indicating their

Providing the background to the Mr Mokgware said, has current also operations Therefore, in Botswana providing and how the digital they intend Technologies to fulfil the requirements ( ICTs) to unserved of a Public programme Mr Martin Mokgware, facilitated Internet connectivity Postal Operator platforms under and the Act. access only without and underserved areas within BOCRA Chief Executive and also and provision of electronic having any initiatives to feed Botswana. It is run by an Chairman of UASF said, “The communications gadgets The being business the plan platforms, must clearly will demonstrate be partially the applicant’s independent capacity and Board capability of Trustees to rollout vision of the UASF is to have “A computers, laptops and printers the proposed fulfilling services the throughout mandate Botswana. of the Fund. Other information and financed required through includes: company levies

registration documents; ownership profile; full addresses and names of contact persons as

digitally connected nation”. This to 68 primary schools and nine It is in that spirit that another key imposed on communications

well as latest tax clearance certificate, where applicable.

vision, although crafted in 2014 ( 9) junior secondary schools objective of the UASF 2019- 2024 sector market players including couldn’t be more relevant today in Ghanzi District, Kgalagadi Applicants Strategic are required Plan to submit is to promote their proposals local to the broadcasting, Authority by 31 January postal 2014. and when the world is forced by the District and Mabutsane Subcontent development. Today, telecommunications licensees Covid- 19 pandemic to holistically District. Further, he said, Enquiries the may BOCRA be directed through to: the UASF is complemented by remaining migrate to the digital space. The Fund employed 68 IT Officers Mr Murphy to fostering Setshwane this partnership to fulfil surplus from BOCRA budget.

[ Director Postal Regulation]

Email: setshwane@ bocra. org. bw or

Tel: 395 7755