Africa-Press – Botswana. Since assuming the Presidency in 2018, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has always been explicit about how he wants to see Botswana and Batswana improve economically and otherwise.
In the process, he has weaved in the Reset Agenda which has become a big part of government’s efforts to move the country forward.
The launch of pillar number five of the agenda, Mindset Change, challenges every Motswana to do away with that which does not benefit them and strive for positivity and greatness.
Batswana across the country had an opportunity to witness the Mindset Change campaign launch on Thursday and express their views on what it means to them.
In Letlhakane, Thandy Tebogo reports that a representative of the business community, Mr Tshekatsheko Setlhomo challenged Batswana to come up with unique business ideas that could add value to the economy, while a youth representative, Ms Tlotlo Gaebinelwe called on youth to be implementers of change.
She said youth should not be too selective, but grab every opportunity that came their way.
Reporting in Rakops, Kabo Keaketswe states that a Mopipi resident, Mr Benjamin Banyula believed that an efficient and effective mindset change should start at public service offices, by improving turnaround times and decentralising services, among others. Mr Banyula viewed the Mindset Change campaign as a welcome development that would take the country forward in terms of economic growth, hence public service should lead by example.
Kgosi Seabe Tatolo of Rakops understood Mindset Change as just doing things differently in various aspects of life, such that life improved for the better.
He however, noted that most of the things about Mindset Change already existed in the country, such as digitalised services, but that it was now upon Batswana to do things differently.
A youth, Ms Tiyapo Kgosiemang of Rakops encouraged fellow youths to think outside the box in terms of doing business.
She said business opportunities were abound in the country and what was needed was only unique thinking by the youth.
Ms Kgosiemang embraced the idea of mindset change by the President and said the youth in Botswana were a privileged cohort as they existed in an era of ICT, which made doing things better compared to the past.
In Bobonong, Manowe Motsaathebe reports that some speakers during pre and post President Dr Masisi’s address on Mindset Change expressed the wish for an urgent need to overhaul processes of applying for government assistance programmes, arguing that some application forms were mind-boggling for applicants to fill and file successfully.
Because of that they said intended beneficiaries ended up failing to acquire that which was meant to uplift their lives.
“Simplify application processes and forms for government programmes, especially the jargon,” said Bobonong VDC chairperson, Ms Sylvia Phethu, who added that in most cases, the language seemed to favour the educated.
She also called for some overhauling of programmes to better fit and benefit the intended beneficiaries.
Other speakers from the region’s VDCs called for optimum utilisation of natural resources in their region, to create employment as well as exporting fully processed products such as yogurt from baobab fruits and tin-packaged mophane worm.
“It is time to start producing such products as morula jam in great quantities, package and sell than to merely produce for home consumption as is the tradition,” said Mr Reuben Gape of Tsetsebjwe.
Mr Gape encouraged those with special talents and skills to hone and exploit for a living, saying such could be hugely financially rewarding.
Ms Keorapetse Mapetla of Gobojango suggested that agriculture-based programmes should, with bias, gravitate towards crop production.
She argued that Bobirwa had proven to have sufficient ground water for irrigation.
While speaking on behalf of the newly established Bobirwa District Council, chairperson, Mr Kgomotso Mmereki said that time was ripe for the new district council to start off with accelerated service delivery since the institution had been delivered from their then excuse of ‘waiting on instructions from Serowe.’
On the business side, Mr Percy Kedibadiba called for high-risk takers, saying anyone willing to venture into a business should be committed to sacrifice.
He said many lessons had been drawn from COVI-19, which rendered some businesses obsolete while others closed.
Amidst those challenges some shrewd businesspersons had to take to unchartered ways of keeping afloat when many were sinking in the troubled seas: a change of mindset from the usual.
Keith Keti in Serowe reports that deputy kgosi of ga Mmangwato, Kgosi Serogola Seretse described the initiative as noble and one which could take the country far.
Kgosi Seretse encouraged Batswana to embrace such initiatives as artificial insemination to better their breeds and realise more returns that would transform the country from an upper middle-income country to a high-income status.
He said he was in the process of introducing a youth fund to help improve livelihoods and was willing to partner with agricultural gurus to change the economic landscape of the village. A youth leader, Mr Kabelo Pusoetsile expressed gratitude that digitalisation created a platform for businesses to market themselves and grow.
He advised the youth to always be donning the ‘I can do it mentality’ and rid themselves of negative thoughts.
“Don’t be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams. Don’t let your problems rule you, learn to rule them, then Botswana will be a prosperous country,” stated Mr Pusoetsile.
In Tshimoyapula, Tshiamiso Mosetlha reports that Kgosi Moses Bakoko of Paje encouraged Batswana to be smart and quick in thinking.
Kgosi Bakoko said the COVID-19 pandemic had shown that Batswana were capable of doing things on their own.
A youth representative, Mr Pako Keitheile encouraged youth to embrace technology to improve their lives and be innovative and creative.
Patricia Speakson and Phodiso Gaebepe in Moiyabana report that Kgosi Mokopakgomo Kgomokgwana spoke of the need to be united because not much could be achieved if Batswana were divided.
Mr Mahutsana Kemo of Moiyabana challenged residents to support local businesses so that more job opportunities could be created.
From Palapye Portia Rapitsenyane reports that Kgosi Martha Lebang encouraged all to commit to making it a reality.
Kgosi Molatedi Lebang concurred and said many people were expecting change to happen instead of changing themselves first.
He said people should change the way they think, act and do things because if they did not change, nothing would change.
MP for Palapye, Mr Onneetse Ramogapi said the launch was a step in the right direction and called on residents to be objective and focused.
He also encouraged them to desist from over depending on government.
Palapye District commissioner, Mr Mompati Ntapu encouraged public servants to also embrace President Masisi’s call for mindset change and urged them to do their best to improve service delivery. He said it was important for civil servants to serve customers with respect and love.
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