News

Ghanzi District Council is poised to sign a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Botswana (UB) following an address this week by UB Vice Chancellor, Professor David Norris, to the Full Council Meeting.

The anticipated MoU promises a dynamic partnership aimed at driving tangible development in the region. Speaking to the Council members, Professor Norris highlighted UB’s vast pool of expertise and its potential to support Ghanzi District in areas such as project management and community development. He underscored the importance of aligning UB’s capabilities with government priorities to ensure that the University’s contributions directly served national development goals.

Responding to Professor Norris’s remarks, Ghanzi District Council Chairman, Councillor Thato Tsogang, made it clear that the partnership would be substantive and impactful.

“This MoU will not be about ticking boxes,” said Councillor Tsogang. “It will be functional to the betterment of the people of Ghanzi.”

During the session, Council members outlined three priority areas for collaboration with UB. Chief among these was research into indigenous medicinal plants native to the Ghanzi region. The goal is to identify active ingredients and medicinal properties, opening new avenues for healthcare innovation and potential economic opportunities.

Council members also proposed business and entrepreneurship training aimed at empowering the local community, fostering innovation and creating sustainable livelihoods. Furthermore, they highlighted the need for capacity-building initiatives focused on governance skills and waste management which are essential for improving service delivery and local administration.

In a development that further underscores UB’s commitment to Ghanzi, Professor Norris revealed plans to explore the feasibility of establishing a satellite campus in the region. Such a move could significantly enhance educational access and foster intellectual growth within the Ghanzi community.

Consequently, the impending MoU signals a promising chapter of collaboration between UB and Ghanzi District Council, aimed at translating academic expertise into real-world impact for the benefit of Ghanzi community.