Matenge donates biography to schools

BABOKI KAYAWE
Staff Writer | Wednesday November 30, 2011 00:00

Once a  Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, the subject of Unearthing The Hidden Treasure: The Untold Story of Gobe Matenge says the book will be available in libraries in order to promote a reading culture among students.

Speaking at the launch of the book that was written by scholar and jurist, Oagile Key Dingake, Matenge implored the nation to inculcate a spirit of reading in order to become a knowledge-based economy.

'The importance of reading is to ensure that people are aware and knowledgeable on issues,' he said. 'Unless we read extensively, the country cannot attain one of the pillars of Vision 2016 of 'An Informed and Educated Nation,'' Matenge noted.

Also speaking at the launch, the Assistant Minister of Education, Patrick Masimolole, commended Matenge for his contribution to education through the donation that was being made in the spirit of the recently announced partnership with the private sector and individuals dubbed 'Adopt a School.'

'It is a very important partnership because it encourages students to read as lack of reading remains one of the biggest problems that the nation faces,' Masimolole said.  He encouraged Batswana to write their life stories while alive because they could be distorted when told after death. This was also important because researchers would have access to information from firsthand sources.

Masimolole described Matenge as a resourceful person who had served the country with diligence and discipline during his years in the civil service.

The biography tells the story of the 'self made man' who rose from a mere messenger to hold the position of permanent secretary. As the blurb says, it is the story of a principled man who abhors sycophancy in all its forms.