GOVT EMBRACES DRONE TECHNOLOGY
As the world moves rapidly towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Vice President Slumber Tsogwane on Friday launched what could be a pacesetter for the space. Tsogwane launched the Drone Technology Centre (DTC) and the Drone Training Centre, a result of the DTC and BUAN partnership towards setting up a drone academy and a drone research centre.
The vice president was accompanied by eight other cabinet members to show how vested government is in the project.
“Government commitment cannot be underscored, especially given the entourage of government officials in attendance. Its commitment to driving a knowledge-based economy is radiated by this action,” Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Karabo Gare said in his welcome remarks.
Tsogwane said the partnership between BUAN and DTC marks a clear and deliberate public private partnership that reflects a commitment to invest in digital transformation. He said the launch marked the beginning of a journey to automate each sector in the ministry. “As government, we strongly support the Drone Technology Centre and BUAN to service the nation of Botswana. DTC launch has defined our country’s objective, especially Vision 2036 and the Economic Recovery and Transformation Strategy to drive a knowledge-based economy. I am glad the company did not only focus on commer- cial aspects of the technology but training as well. Our fellow countrymen [and women] will be trained to be; drone pilots, drone technicians and drone researchers and educators,” Tsogwane said.
The VP said drones are able to do many functions, which will ordinarily take a warm body a lot of hours or days or even years to execute. He said this brings the much-needed optimal productivity in the advent of the pandemic.
“Beyond food security, the pandemic has taught us that self-reliance is important in all sectors, and I must say this is a good step in the right direction in the execution of our objectives. I must hasten that technology is never meant to replace warm body employment, but to augment with much-needed efficiency,” he said.
DTC assistant managing director, Marang Mbaakanyi said with drones they could bring answers for all sectors and ministries. She said the possibilities offered by drones are wide-ranging and have become essential for all industries. She said they will be visiting all ministry to offer presentations and training on how exactly they can make use of the drones in the ministries.
“Drone technology remains a cutting solution towards a knowledge-based economy in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It presents great opportunities for the government and the private sector in increasing the much-needed productivity. We have reached a point where most services will be assisted by drones and a full comprehension and knowledge of their abilities is very important for decision makers,” she said.