�Botswana youth have fantastic and innovative ideas�

Chakalisa Dube | Thursday October 6, 2016 15:58

He said most of these noble ideas exist in areas of Engineering and Science and they can help Botswana solidify her status as one of the economically sound countries in the SADC region and beyond.

Richards was in the city where he accompanied Prince Andrew, the Duke of York on his second visit to Botswana having first set foot in the country as a fresh faced 19-year-old in 1979.

Prince Andrew is the third child of the Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh and is a senior full-time member of the royal family.

Prince Andrew visited a number of projects in the city on Thursday before returning to Gaborone later on the day where he participated in some BOT50 festivities. He also mingled with British citizens based in Francistown.

“Botswana has fantastic examples of ideas in areas of Science and Engineering. The challenge is to turn these ideas into reality. More investment should be placed on making the ideas a reality in order to create jobs,” Richards said in an interview after the tour.

He continued,“Engineering and Science should be among factors that should anchor the country’s economic growth as it prepares to embark on another 50-years of prosperity.”

He also said that Botswana should explore opportunities for partnership with Britain in various sectors of the economy to ensure continuous growth.

“Britain has been a vital partner to Botswana in various areas over the last 50-years. Such partnerships can be heightened to create more employment for Batswana. “Apart from Science and Engineering there is still a lot of room for more partnerships in areas such as academics and financial services,” he said.

Prince Andrew who spoke briefly at the Francistown College of Technical and Vocational Education (FCTVE) said that Engineering and Science is a vital cog in the development of every nation.

“We cannot do anything without Engineering and Science. Be (youth) strategic thinkers. Do all you can to turn your ideas into viable products. Do not be afraid to give it a try. Some ideas will make a telling difference,” he said.

At FCTVE Prince Andrew visited the ‘STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) for girls projects. The project encourage girls to venture into Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. Prince Andrew also toured the Botswana Meat Commission facilities in the city.