14 Jun 2021

Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) and its board members have been applauded for the launch of BTC first ever museum, an initiative that reaffirms  government’s commitment towards  a digitally transformed and knowledge-based society.

The launch, which was combined with BTC’s 40 years celebrations was officiated by  Minister of Transport and Communications, Thulagano Segokgo is seen  as a significant milestone that will not only contribute  to the growth of the telecommunications industry in Botswana, but also its socio-economic development that has grown  over the years.

Segokgo said the museum would play an important role in exhibiting Botswana telecommunications story as it evolved over time.

He that it would  document Botswana’s inventions, ingenuity and craftsmanship, essential for leaving a legacy for the country’s descendants, facilitate researchers, educate the nation on ICTs, serve as a tourist attraction site and while preserving the telecommunications heritage.

Segokgo further said as government strived to improve the lives of Batswana, it was sought to inspire and expand private sector to ignite passion for growth in the technology sector.

“I am equally optimistic that through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, we will go a long way in transforming Botswana into a digitalized economy as stated in President Dr  Mokgweetsi Masisi’s road map  and proclaimed by the Nation Vision 2036 pillars.”

Earlier on, when welcoming guests, BTC’s managing director, Anthony Masunga said the 40 years journey was  BTC’s legacy since in those years the corporation gave birth to a new company called BOFiNet through the transfer of BTC’s assets.

He said the 40 years in existence was not only the iconic structure dedicated to the corporation’s founding fathers but also recognised BTC’s pioneering staff who worked hard to give Batswana the greatest communication system.

The celebrations also honoured those who contributed to work on new and innovative ideas for the future of communication.

Giving a background on how the museum project came to existence, BTC’s performance management advisor, Duduetsang Mapila said they started the concept of the project in April 2020 as one of the ways of commemorating the 40 years.

During the conceptualisation phase, she said the engaged the Botswana National Museum and Monuments director, Stephen Mogotsi, who appreciated the importance of BTC’s museum in Botswana because museum played a crucial role in preserving and documenting the heritage for the society and future generations.

“We made a call to Batswana, seeking all the different artefacts from our ancient telephones, to the current ones, from our decommissioned telecommunications equipment to the new ones.

We engaged with our corporate partners the like Huawei, SigFox,Cell City for them to help sponsor certain elements of the museum and we very much grateful for their contribution to date.”

“Some of the artefacts in the museum include items such as story line, which details the precolonial era of communication of the horns, and the use of smoke signals as means of a warning signs or gathering people,” she said. Also, the from the 1930s-1950s telephone exchange, which had operators who provided telephone service for the subscribers and were information centres in small exchanges, to the rotary dial phones which had to hold a certain number for sometime to dial out, the field telephones which were used by field workers when working on site in remote areas where there were not telephone lines are some of the items that can be found in the new museum. ENDS