Page 20 - issue 24

20 In The News

Yes,

we

certainly

can make

cars in

Botswana

Honorable Bogolo Joy Kenewendo
Minister of the Ministry of Investment,
Trade & Industry

EZA, University of Botswana One of the developments sectors the “As we prepare for these investors we
and BIUST recently sponsored Ministry has decided to focus on in also thought we can do this. As we
Sa launch of Makeathon 2019. the development of Botswana is the started our journey investors have said
SMART GREEN BOTSWANA . Honorable Automotive sector. She explained they have capacity. We have started
Bogolo Joy Kenewendo gave a keynote that, “we have been saying we don’t collaboration on a National project with
address and officially launched the want a body shop like ones in Namibia Ministry of Investment and Trade, Local
programme. In her opening statements and Port Elizabeth were millions have Universities and Ministry of Tertiary
she told the attendees how they as a been dedicated. What we thought our Education ,Science and Technology.
Ministry had come up with the whole niche was in on the auto parts. On the This is So that we can match the skills
smart cars idea. supply side of the automotive industry. needed for the industry we want. Our
Investors are interested in the Botswana students should be seen to be able to do
“When briefing the President, Dr. industry and want to complement our this particular project.”Ms Kenewendo
Masisi on the progress that the efforts.” emphasised.
Ministry has done and during that
review we were talking about the Speaking on the solar car she said Germany Government is also a key
digital economy and what we were the Ministry has found investors that piece of this puzzle because she said it is
doing in that space. Suddenly he asked actually produce electric vehicle better a formal visit to Germany that made this
me and my team, can you build a car? than the ones we have and are Artificial project come together. She went on to
without any hesitation I said Yes sir, we Intelligence (AI) driven. They talk to elaborate by stating that, “The Germany
certainly can and after the meeting my you like a human being unlike SIRI from Government took us to all automotive
team asked me ‘How’. So since that day Apple.She said with These cars when partners in Germany and engaged them
the team has been tireless to find the you unlock them you wave your hand on how we can build an industry here
right partners that will help us to get and it reads your biometrics and sets starting with the fundamentals. They
to this dream. It’s not just a dream that everything even the car seat. This is a informed us they will work with the
came out of thin air but it has followed car she said they have test driven and institutions here and invest in machinery
several events and foundations that we know it exists and the Ministry want it and engineering skills to ensure the
have been laying.” She said to be in Botswana. success of the Project.”

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