Stanbic Boss Counsels Graduates

BABOKI KAYAWE
Staff Writer | Monday September 14, 2009 00:00

Gabaraane said it does not matter what one does; be it answering the telephone, writing a report, being a supervisor or cleaning, the most important requirement is to do it with pride and making sure that the job will have a profound effect on everyone they encounter. He said having the hunger to do good, at any given task, would ensure that Batswana compete favourably on the global job market.

Addressing a pool of 300 graduates at the Botswana International Financial Service Centre (BIFSC) career fair whose focus was on shaping graduates into professionals, Gabaraane stated that the country's sustained economic growth depends on every citizen.

In today's global village, all countries are competing for foreign direct investments (FDIs), jobs and resources, he said, adding that Batswana scholars too are in competition with graduates from other parts of the world.

At the event where about 30 companies from all sectors of the economy exhibited, Gabaraane urged young professionals to play a pivotal role in the growth and success of the country's economy.  He stressed that the best economies thrive through attracting investment and consequently creating job opportunities, and that human resource is paramount to the growth of any economy.

He lamented the situation whereby jobs fall into the hands of expatriates in fields where Batswana are qualified. He warned that if Batswana continued to allow 'complacency and mediocrity' to creep in, this situation would not end.

He encouraged the graduates to set international standards in order to ensure that all employed persons in Botswana are indeed of an international calibre and not only good enough for the domestic market.

'Our levels of productivity and competitiveness as a country will also be enhanced by the high calibre resources that we have in the country,' he said.

Gabaraane said he is yearning for the day when Botswama will not only be exporters of diamonds but also exporters of human resources, skills and easily attract investment.

This was the sixth Botswana IFSC Annual Career fair , which is part of the institution's 'Skills Readiness Initiative' and its social investment policy.