BOTEC plans use of Kgalagadi sands for brick-making

MARTIN NYIRENDA
Correspondent | Wednesday August 26, 2009 00:00

 

'We have reached the assessment stage of the Kgalagadi bricks moulded from sand and we want to establish if they can be used just like any other stock bricks on the market.

The Kgalagadi sands account for 2.5 million square meters of the country's land and we should take advantage of this,' he said in Gaborone this week. He stated that Botswana should take a leading role in research and development of solar energy and indigenous knowledge. He asserted that Batswana should be encouraged to cultivate interest in information and communication technology from early childhood.

He said that the importance of investing in technology, especially from human capital perspective cannot be over-stated. Selaolo said there are huge benefits in investing in technology and BOTEC is focusing on initiatives and embracing strategies designed to ensure that it contributes meaningfully to uplifting the welfare of society. He said that in the developed world, more resources are continuously directed towards conducting extensive research and developing tailored technologies that improve the lives of people and add value to the economy.

'We should increase funding on research and technology because the dividends can help develop the national economy. The resources are invested over time and you find out that a lot of the research is being done by the private sector but in Botswana, it is done by the government, which is good. The United States spends 10,000 times more on research-related activities'.

He pointed out that BOTEC is geared to lead in renewable energy research and innovation. He stated that energy -efficient housing is another priority on the BOTEC agenda. He added that as a water-stressed country, it is paramount for Botswana to introduce appropriate technologies to purify water.

He lamented that several strategic plans in Botswana have been developed over many years only to be frustrated by lack of implementation capacity and limited focus.

He stressed the importance of forging partnerships in the private and public sectors and cooperation with bodies like universities and to promote research and development. 'We need information scientists and these could also be specialist reporters to consistently report on technology-related issues that affect the people and can contribute to development,' he said.

He lamented that few Batswana journalists are interested in reporting technical issues affecting society. He said BOTEC is ready to work with journalists and to engage them on tailored programmes covering specialist reporting on technology.