Universal Telecom donates Starlink Internet to Marang JSS
Laone Choeunyane | Wednesday March 4, 2026 06:00
The initiative, led by Universal Telecom representative Bayan Jamali, is expected to improve research capabilities, expand access to online learning resources and equip students with critical 21st-century skills.
School head Victorious Gogannekgosi traced the origins of the partnership to a conversation held last year.
“In 2024, when I was talking to Bayan, I told him that Marang JSS was located near Universal Telecom–how can we benefit from your Wi-Fi? We sat down and discussed,” she said.
Jamali then explained that the donation was designed to support both teachers and learners through reliable and fast connectivity, enabling improved collaboration and academic performance. Jamali described the installation as an investment in the school’s long-term development rather than merely a technical upgrade.
“This is more than a technical installation... It is an investment in possibility. We believe that education is the most powerful foundation any community can build upon. It shapes opportunity, unlocks potential, and equips young students with the tools they need not only to participate in the future but to lead it,” he stated.
Principal Education Officer at the Ministry of Education, Kobe Thamage, underscored the broader significance of the investment.
“One of the characteristics of the 21st-century learner is to be ICT compliant,” he noted.
He added that such initiatives help position students to become adaptable and technologically capable in an increasingly digital world, and extended appreciation to Universal Telecom on behalf of the ministry.
For students, the intervention comes at a critical time. Speaking on behalf of the learner body, Dorcas Nkomazani highlighted the difficulties they previously faced.
“We are deeply grateful to Universal Telecom. Marang JSS has recently faced a lot of challenges, and one of them is that the internet or Wi-Fi has been restricted to one area of the school. The students could not access it, and this immensely affected our performance,” she said.
She expressed optimism about the future: “This will immensely boost our academics, and Marang will reach greater heights.”
Marang Ward Councillor Keaobaka Bantatetse linked the donation to efforts aimed at improving academic outcomes.
“When I was here speaking to the principal a while ago, we looked at the students' results and how well they performed. There were many challenges that Marang JSS was facing, but we concluded that from this year onward, we would address them. The issue of Wi-Fi was one that we identified as being able to improve academic results,” he said.
He thanked the company for responding to what had been identified as a pressing need.
The donated system delivers speeds of up to 300 Mbps and is expected to provide consistent connectivity across the school campus. Universal Telecom has also committed to monitoring the service to ensure it continues to serve its intended educational purpose.
The donation marks a significant step toward narrowing the digital divide within Botswana’s education system, with Marang JSS now better positioned to integrate technology into teaching and learning.