Africa-Press – Lesotho. Okavango youth have been encouraged to exploit technology and connect the rich tourism and culture in their area. Officially launching the Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) upgraded network services for the Okavango district in Shakawe on July 24, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications, Knowledge and Technology, Mr Pontsho Pusoetsile, said telecommunications played a significant role in the development of the country and can help attain aspirations to transform Botswana into a knowledge-based economy.
“Advanced telecommunications also help to ease communication, facilitate online learning and could also improve agriculture among others,” he said.
He commended BTC and its partner, Universal Access and Service Fund, for the development which, he said, was anchored in one of the President’s principles of digitalisation under the reset agenda.
For his part, BTC managing director, Mr Anthony Masunga said the network expansion project was to improve the mobile network coverage from 2G to 4G/LTE technology.
Mr Masunga said the broadband Internet had been distributed to more than 20 villages in the Okavango. “The aim is to empower Batswana to be connected and improve the lives of every Motswana at any village,” he said.
Universal Access and Service Fund chairperson, Mr Itumeleng Batsalelwang, said their organisation was responsible for collaboration with local network providers to improve network connectivity where there was shortage or no coverage at all.
Mr Batsalelwang, however, decried vandalism of BTC properties which, he said, negatively affected development. He said about P60 million had been spent thus far to replace the equipment that had been stolen and therefore pleaded with the community to report the incidents of theft.
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