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Botswana: The Ministry of Education and Skills Development, in collaboration with Orapa, Letlhakane, Damtshaa Mines (OLDM), organized a prestigious Excellence Awards event to honour exceptional primary, secondary, and senior leaving students of the Boteti community.
The ceremony held on the 30th of June 2023 at Makgadikgadi Junior School in Mosu village, was graced by the Assistant Minister of Education and Skills Development, Nnaniki Makwinja, who emphasized government’s commitment to the Reset and Reclaim Agenda and the vision of fostering a knowledge-based society.
Makwinja expressed her gratitude to OLDM for their unwavering support and contributions to the education sector. OLDM has been a key partner in transforming the educational landscape by funding various projects, including constructing classrooms, administration blocks and special education facilities.
The Assistant Minister further acknowledged the challenges faced by the Ministry, such as student indiscipline and the lack of parental involvement in children’s academic performance. She urged both parents and students to prioritize education and play an active role in creating a conducive learning environment. To the 190 awardees, she said, “Continue to aim high and inspire others to excel.”
For his part, the General Manager of OLDM, Mogakolodi Maoketsa, highlighted the company’s objective of promoting excellence in schools within the District. He emphasized that OLDM is committed to supporting high performance through various initiatives.
Additionally, he announced the introduction of the General Manager’s Award, which recognizes students who demonstrate outstanding qualities beyond academic achievements. This special honour celebrates emotional intelligence, empathy, open-mindedness, and adaptability to change. Five exceptional students were selected for this inaugural award, symbolizing the importance of building a lasting legacy.
The event concluded on an inspirational note, with motivational speakers encouraging the awardees to strive for continuous improvement. One of the speakers, Patrick Baleseng, reminded the students that education alone is not enough to succeed in life. He advised them to cultivate other aspects of their lives, including social, spiritual, and mental growth. Baleseng shared valuable tips on enhancing their lives, such as showing respect, listening attentively, and working diligently.
The Excellence Awards ceremony showcased the Ministry’s commitment to recognizing outstanding students and inspiring educational excellence in the community.