Africa-Press – Botswana. There is need for all to shift and shape individual action in pursuit of the country’s economic transformation drive. This was the sentiment of different speakers in Kanye at a gathering to watch President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s address on Mindset Change Campaign yesterday.
On behalf of the tribal leadership, Senior Chief Representative, Mr Kwelagobe Mookodi said leadership needed to heed the call and change their minds, attitudes as well improve standards in the work environment.
He called upon the tribal leadership to introspect on how they had been providing service delivery to the residents and improve working standards.
“Change begins with each of us, we need to be customer centric, and these principles should be cascaded to our respective tribal headsmen in our wards” he said.
Mr Mookodi further shared that the message was however aimed at all Batswana, and therefore advised those in attendance to further share with others so as to realise the much desired change.
Mr Mookodi shared that collaboration by different departments would assist to ensure that initiatives planned at the kgotla were implemented.
He shared that schools such as Ramatea Vocational Schools, Rural Industries Innovation Centre established by Bogosi though operating, needed to be developed so as to ensure their maximum utilisation.
Presenting on behalf of the Business Community, Ms Patricia Tomlison said the business fraternity needed to heed mindset change message and begin to compete with the rest of the world.
Ms Tomlison also advised the private sector to further play a leading role in food production and also explore the value chain processes in food production, adding that all that could be achieved through hard work.
Village elder, Mr Ashton Sealetsa spoke of the role of dikgosi in nation buiding and development of the village.
He cited Kgosi Bathoeng as an iconic leader whom through the assistance of Mophato was instrumental in the development of the village citing construction of schools such as Maisantanwa Primary, Rachel Primary, Motsatsing Primary and Matsaakgang.
He added that such mentality was needed in today’s leadership for the village to be self-reliant.
In SELOKOLELA Kgosi Koorapetse Legabala explained to residents of Selokolela and surrounding villages that it was vital for residents to positively change their mindset, for Botswana to reach high income economy,.
“If we do not heed President Masisi’s call for mindset change, our economy would not move to high income status. It is time to change how we do things and positively position our country in the global economy,” he said.
Kgosi Legabala highlighted that there was nothing stopping residents to change mindsets, hence his plea to the community to start doing everything in a positive way that would grow the country.
He pointed out that communication systems were in place, adding that the residents had to take advantage of that and partake in the global economy.
For his part, Kanye District Council Chairman, Mr Mpho Dithole urged residents to take mindset change campaign seriously, noting that positive minds would assist in attaining high income status.
He said residents should use government programmes with positive mindsets, in order for such to produce desired results.
“The government assists us to plough our fields, we should therefore take good care of them and with positive minds that is possible,” he said.
Youth leader, Ms Pontsho Kodisa explained that the youth were affected by high unemployment rate. However she said that should not deter them from reaching their dreams.
Ms Kodisa pointed out that the government educated most youth, therefore urging them to employ skills acquired from their learning institutions to better their lives and contribute to the economy.
“For example, I am a psychology graduate and since I was not employed, I registered an NGO to assist the residents to move the country forward,” she added.
She also advised parents to always support their children and motivate them to ensure that they prospered in all they ventured in.
In Borolong residents spoke of the need to embrace the mind set change initiative, describing the launch as a step in the right direction.
Representing people with disabilities Mr Gobopaone Mosetlhi said he hoped government would lead from the front when it comes to the needs of the disabled. He pointed out that most of the time they encountered problems when seeking services from government offices, noting that government offices did not have translators for those who could not talk.
Attendees opined that all should look into the gender based violence issue as it affected everyone.
At Jwaneng/Mabutsane constituency, a representative of People with Disability, Mr Mothusi Selefo commended government for an initiative that promoted inclusiveness across the citizenry. He said an inclusive society would contribute towards Vision 2036’s aspirations of achieving Prosperity for All.
“It is important to involve all segments of society in national programmes and activities, as well as decision making processes to ensure that no one is left behind. People with disabilities have a lot to offer because they have ideas and the capacity to contribute towards national issues,” he said
Jwaneng Chamber of Commerce chairperson Mr Julius Sebako underscored the need for residents to collaborate and resuscitate community projects such as cooperatives in order to optimally exploit value chain development opportunities in their areas.
He said just like diamonds were discovered in a desert, viable business enterprises could be established in various locations in the constituency,through mindset change.
He called on communities to identify their strongholds and explore value chains that could grow the economy and create employment opportunities.
For her part,a youth leader Ms Neo Bagotsi urged young people to embark on bench marking missions to find out how other people succeeded in the projects they were interested in. She said challenges should not make them quit, but rather motivate them to persevere until they have achieved their dreams.
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