Botswana ICT stakeholders charts the way to a National Telecenter Network

[Dean Mulozi]

Modern ICTs are increasingly becoming important instruments that facilitate access to social and economic information for development around the world. Multi-purpose telecenters or simply community telecenters are service delivery centers for livelihood development. However, in some African countries, telecenters and development projects alike operate in isolation and at times do not benefit from various opportunities and resources that exist around themselves.

Knowledge sharing, information exchange and networking are some of the prerequisites that help community-based telecenters access and share information resources, acquire knowledge and skills and improve operations of the telecenters. They empower local staff and telecenter users through informed decisions and help resolve local social and economic challenges. However, in order to address network issues, there must be a presence of a common platform, driven by common needs through which telecenters can share information, experiences and skills. And thus existence of national telecenter network in a country can play a significant role in facilitating information exchange and knowledge transfer in various key social and economic sectors.

To respond to challenges that lie ahead, Botswana has started a process to establish a national ICT (Telecenter) network initiative. Botswana Technology Center (BOTEC), a Botswana government science and technology research center has taken a lead to support the formation of a national telecenter network. At a stakeholders meeting held on 24th June at BOTEC board room, 12 senior directors and managers representing 8 key organisations in the ICT4 development sector resolved to establish a national network task force that will pave way for a national ICT network for the country. The meeting was also attended and supported by a guest from Southern Africa Telecenter Network (SATNET) from Zambia, Mr. Dean Mulozi. The organisations represented were Botswana Technology Center, University of Botswana, Botswana Post, and Botswana Telecommunication Authority, Botswana Telecom and Postal Services, Botswana National Library and COBIT.

Emphasizing the need for telecenter networks, Dr. Edson Selaolo, BOTEC Chief Executive during his opening remarks informed the meeting that networks have a huge potential and will strengthen existing ICT initiatives and ultimately contribute to national development in Botswana. He noted that the networks are important in providing a platform for disseminating research results and the country will stand to benefit from national and international networks. A national network can link telecenters and other stakeholders in Botswana towards sharing best practices as well as foster learning from each other.

At the same meeting, a presentation summary on SATNET existence, objectives, current and future activities of a regional telecenter network in southern Africa was highlighted. It was pointed out on the need for a future national network to affiliate and work with Southern Africa Telecenter Network.

A number of telecenter development activities exist supported by different organisations in the country. Botswana Post, a government postal services company has helped establish 24 telecenters during the first phase of its programme. The organisation has planned to roll out additional 25 telecenters during second phase of the project. The Botswana Technology Center completed carrying out a telecenter community research in three (3) rural telecenters whilst Botswana Library Service is piloting 6 telecenters within the libraries. However the organisations point out the challenges of sustainability of the future of telecenters. Apart from sustainability, local telecenters in Botswana face among others challenges of lack of ICT awareness, levels of education and traditional and cultural aspects of local communities.

The task force established comprise of 6 representations from BOTEC, the host organisation, University of Botswana, Botswana Post, Botswana Telecommunication Authority and Botswana National Library. The stakeholders resolved to affiliate its future network to SATNET. It is therefore envisaged that the national telecenter network will harness and integrate operations of the telecenters and create a strong and viable knowledge sharing platform in the country. The network will act as reference center and coordinate the work of telecenters in Botswana.

The government of Botswana has been very positive supporting development of ICTs. Mr. Menzis Maphisa, the head of IT Strategy Division at the DIT, Ministry of Communications Science and Technology said Botswana is driven by its two policies; the vision 2016 and national ICT policy adopted in 2007. In general, the polices focus on creating enabling environment for other sectors in the economy to achieve development goals. Currently the country is involved in facilitating e-governance processes paving way for key steps to achieve knowledge society.

[Tony Knox]

My pleasure

[Dean Mulozi]

Resego,
Take note of Tony inputs. Could be helpful to us in the region.

Thanks Tony fro your advice,

Dean Mulozi

[Tony Knox]

Great news in Botswana! By the way, charitable NGOs can receive Microsoft product donations through the SANGOTeCH programme, which is administered by SANGONeT/NGO Pulse and with the endorsement of BOCONGO, and in partnership with TechSoup Global. Read more here: http://www.sangotech.org/botswana/. I hope this is helpful.

[Resego Morakanyane]

thanks Dean. this should get us moving.