Botswana aims to become an education hub � Molefhi
Onalenna Kelebeile | Friday August 29, 2014 15:25
Speaking during the hand over of the computer accessories (bandwidth and tablets) to Selebi-Phikwe Secondary School recently, Molefhi said diamonds are not forever, therefore the move to convert Botswana into an education hub is critical. The joint donation was made by Botswana Fibre Networks (BOFINET) and Huawei company from China.
Molefhi said the two companies have provided requisite access to high-speed internet connectivity to SPSS, Matshekge Senior Secondary School and Mmadinare Senior School laboratories.
The projects were undertaken as part of the commemoration for the World Telecommunications and Information Society Day, which was held in Selebi-Phikwe in May. He added that high-speed internet connectivity will help science students broaden their research capacities.
Molefhi explained that BOFINET was established as an autonomous and commercial and self-sustainable business and has a completely independent from Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited and is to continue operating as such.
He added that the entry of BOFINET in the national and international telecommunication market is expected to improve competitiveness in the downstream telecommunications, and earn confidence from all retail customers. “There is also potential for alternative revenue generation for the Botswana government through regional transit services and utiliSation of excess capacity on the international assets, which will give a boost to the economy,” he added.
Molefhi further said BOFINET is also mandated with the development and management of the national fibre network particularly in the trans Kalahari region and metro fibre networks in Gaborone and Francistown.
This fibre network will improve internet connectivity in the country and keep up with the increasing demand of internet connectivity.He further explained that the government took a decision to privatise the Botswana Telecommunications Corporation, meaning that the two companies should operate independently.
“The rationale was that some of the assets that were held under BTC were of key strategic importance to the nation and therefore could not be handed over to the private hands. As a consequence of this thinking BTC was to be separated into two organisations being BOFINET and Botswana Telecommunications Limited, which will be partially privatised once the separation is complete, with government maintaining 51 percent stake in the company while BOFINET is wholly owned by government providing mainly wholesale services while BTCL is to predominantly focus on the ratail market,” he explained.