20th May 2025
Own Correspondent
Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited (BTC) participated in the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) commemorations held in Hukuntsi, Kgalagadi North district under the theme “Gender equality in Digital Transformation.”
The purpose of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is to help raise awareness of the possibilities that the use of the Internet and other information and communication technologies (ICTs) can bring to societies and economies, as well as of ways to bridge the digital divide.
WTISD is used to raise global awareness on how to bridge the gap regarding the use of the latest technology in Third World countries. WTISD is a national event organised by the Ministry of Communications and Innovation. BTC as a key stakeholder, participated amongst other industry players such as Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA), Botswana Fibre Networks (BoFiNet), Botswana Post, Mascom Wireless, Orange Botswana etc.
Delivering welcome remarks, Kgosi Merapelo Tshweneagae of Hukuntsi said that over 200 girls had been trained under the GIICT day and he was also happy that the Government has made technological improvements in his area, leading to improved communication between villages as movement is affected by poor or sandy roads and lack of transportation. He further encouraged everyone to embrace technology and cautioned against falling victims to or perpetuating cybercrimes.
Shawn Ntlhaile, Assistant Minister of Communications and Innovations, Honourable Shawn Ntlhaile said, ‘Gender equality in Digital Transformation’. He stated that “our National Broadband Strategy acknowledges and addresses the gender inequality in ICT,” further stating that “the strategy includes initiatives aimed at bridging this gap, such as creating the SmartBots programme, which focuses on developing a Digital Business Package for Women Entrepreneurs and supporting women in the digital economy through digital skills programmes, business support, and innovation capacity.”
Ntlhaile “acknowledged the progress that Botswana has made in achieving gender equality within the context of digital transformation, however, we also recognize that there are gaps that need to be addressed.”
He also called for the development of “targeted policies and programmes focused on gender mainstreaming to ensure that all citizens, regardless of gender or social status, have equal access to digital services in our newly digitalized Botswana”, he said.
As part of BTC’s commitment to uplift the communities they operate in, BTC pledged to erect directional signages at Hukuntsi, Lekgwabe, Zutshwa, Magke, Lehututu kgotla, Lehututu Junior Secondary School (JSS) in Lehututu and Lehutshelo JSS in Hukuntsi.
BTC also pledged to donate 2 computers and a medium duty printer to Lokgwabe kgotla, 2 computers, a medium duty printer, internet connectivity and directional signage to Magke kgotla, an eLearning suite, internet connectivity and directional signage each to Lehutshelo JSS and Lehutshelo JSS.
BTC will also donate a 10,000-liter water tank, a computer, a television set, set top box and directional signage each to Zutshwe clinic and Tshane clinic. BTC will use a total of two hundred and sixty-eight thousand, four hundred and sixty-seven, eight four thebe (P268,467.84) towards the donations.
Prior to the commemoration of WTISD, BTC participated at the Girls in Information and Communications Technology (GIICT) Day commemoration held on Wednesday 14th May 2025, held at Lehututu Community Hall in Lehututu under the theme “Girls in ICT for inclusive digital transformation.
The purpose of GIICT is to encourage girls and women to venture into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers. The GIICT commemorations are held to remind all stakeholders to support, encourage and inspire women and young girls to play a significant role in the ICT space.
BTC participated by facilitating training of over 100 female students and 10 teachers from Lehutshelo JSS in Digital Content Creation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). The students and teachers were awarded with certificates of participation. BTC used a total of sixty thousand, six hundred and twenty-three-pula, ninety-five thebe (P60,623.95) towards the Girls in ICT Day commemorations.
BTC took this opportunity to take its products and services to Hukuntsi and surrounding areas through some of the following activities: commercial activations, showcasing of its enterprise offers, innovation offers and create awareness on its 45th anniversary commemorations etc. BTC also connected with shareholders in Hukuntsi and surrounding areas to facilitate Know Your Customer (KYC) and broker migration processes.
