Expo2020Dubai opens doors of opportunity

Botswana‘ s participation at the Expo2020Dubai has opened doors to this country’s pool of talent, especially in the Information Technology ( IT) and other services to flaunt their talent.

Batswana have the requisite knowledge, skills and talent, but are woefully devoid of opportunities and platform to shine. The country itself, despite its well- meaning policies, has failed to provide an environment conducive for talent to shine.

Botswana lacks a lot of things in terms of the Information Technology sector. We are way, way behind and Expo2020Dubai, where everything was digitalised, was indeed a wake- up call.

To catch up, Botswana must introduce Information and Communication Technology ( ICT) as early as Junior School level.

This is the advice from Botswana’s hottest international import, a tech giant in his own right, Dr. Bright Jefferson Ketlhaotswe, currently the Head of Information Security Department at Intel in Dubai.

The country should rid itself of this preoccupation with computer awareness because the 21st Century kids are already aware and highly advanced than any of their school teachers! It is a fact that we should not counteract.

These kids need a detailed computer information technology, which must be added to the school curriculum.

In fact, Botswana must quickly do away with the system of creating many subjects, which in actual fact are designed to eliminate kids at school and introduce the multiple pathways that have long been touted.

Better still, talent recognition officers must become a permanent feature of the school system to scout for every talent capability available in schools.

With the right mindset, as advocated for by the President Masisi’s Reset Agenda, Botswana can finally introduce smart cities; smart shopping technologies and smart shopping logistics.

But these will only happen if emphasis is placed on computer literacy and teachers are empowered.

The country must also replace all the tired old people in Government offices and introduce new minds with fresh ideas.

Finally, we must introduce smart buildings ( 3D moulds) and get rid of the traditional system of building.

The United Arab Emirates ( UAE) have provided a perfect benchmark in infrastructure with their ability to build, for example, a 54- storey building in 72 hours using just moulds!