Debswana sensitises partners on fourth industrial revolution

Esnath Samuel | Tuesday June 11, 2019 11:30

The event was held under the theme ‘Disruption, Data, and Digitisation’.  

According to a press release from OLDM, the expo was hosted by OLDM as an auxiliary activity to the Orapa Diamond Golf Challenge, which was also held recently. 

The expo gathered risk management businesses and stakeholders inclusive of insurance companies, plant and equipment hiring operations, as well as car dealership service providers.  

Forming key proceedings at the expo was conversations around the evolution of risk management functions and businesses in general into significant components and participants of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), as well as stall exhibitions.  

Giving welcome remarks, OLDM general manager, Bakani Motlhabani pointed out that modern technology has taken over and it is affecting all aspects of human existence, from communication, travel and most importantly how businesses are run. 

“Whether we think of ourselves as technologically well informed or conservatives who want nothing to do with its way. The truth is the world is changing at the hands of this digital wave, not only in the work place but even in our homes,” he said. 

Motlhabani borrowed a leaf from American writer, Ken Auletta, who once suggested that, “The digital revolution is almost as disruptive to the traditional media business as electricity was to the candle business”.  

Debswana head of risk management Tefo Setlhare, who was the keynote speaker, said in this day and age, the question is not whether businesses want to go along with the techno revolution or not. 

“We rather have to look into what we are doing to ensure we remain relevant and viable businesses within this digital shifts. We must leverage on the fourth industrial revolution. The digital era allows us to think and do things differently becausse digitalisation and data empowers us to transform our businesses and have an immediate social impact,' he said. 

Setlhare encouraged enterprises that attended the expo to ready themselves as the digital disruption has arrived. 

“How we position ourselves to take advantage of what is coming is entirely up to us. These advancements if leveraged on can help us deliver results efficiently,” he said. 

Debswana and Botswana Insurance Holdings Limited (BIHL) Group supported the event as diamond sponsors, along with other sponsors, Sesiro Insurance Company, Hollard Botswana, BoMaid, AON, Old Mutual, Continuity SA, Parts Sales Botswana and Abaricom.