Creative industry can use science to transform local economy � Mamela

Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Tuesday February 14, 2017 15:37

In an interview with Showbiz recently, the local science communicator Abraham Mamela said science or research is one of the areas that have been identified as potential areas that can help drive the economy and reduce the country’s heavy reliance on mining, diamonds in particular.

“Botswana has taken a stance to transform her economy to a knowledge economy. The creative industry offers an opportunity for Botswana to take advantage in making science an area of interest as well as inspiring the next generation. The creative industry offers an opportunity for Botswana to take advantage in making science an area of interest as well as inspiring the next generation,” he said.

Mamela called on the art industry to work closely with the science industry. He said that could help Batswana to look at science with a different view and understanding whilst at the same time creating job opportunities for young people. Mamela also stated that the creative industry could inspire science. He said scientists could get new ideas from the creative industry hence new ideas and creation in science.

“In the 90s there used to be a movie called the Night Rider about a car that could talk and drive itself, such cars are in our door steps. IRobot is one of the movies that was loved and it is about robots and artificial intelligence. Such technology is just in our door steps and it looks like its going to be a big thing in the future,” he said.

He said Botswana could take advantage of such movies as she is beginning to build her knowledge economy. Mamela said local artists could inspire the future of science and technology by carrying the essence of products created in this country. He further urged both the private sector and the government to invest in that new opportunity so that Botswana science could benefit from that good gesture.

Mamela pointed out that science affects all, every day of the year, from the moment we wake up, all day long, and through the night. He said science affects all from the digital alarm clock, the weather report, the bus we ride in, the decision to eat a baked potato instead of fries, cell phone, the antibiotics that treat sore throat, the clean water that comes from the faucet, and the light that we turn off at the end of the day have all been by courtesy of science.