News & Events

BOTEC hosted the National Design for Development Awards 2010 ceremony

Botswana Technology Centre (BOTEC) on 23 April 2010 hosted the National Design for Development Awards (NDDA) 2010 Ceremony at the Gaborone Sun Hotel under the theme “INNOVATION FOR PROSPERITY.”  NDDA’s main objective is to recognize original and innovative prototypes as well as products that can diversify the economy of Botswana.

This was a high profile ceremony which was graced by Ms Flora Mpanju, a representative of the African Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) based in Zimbabwe which also sponsored winners for the best 3 products. It is also worth noting that the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) in Geneva, Switzerland also provided prizes for the same winners.

In his introductory remarks the BOTEC Board Chairperson Professor  Otlogetswe Totolo gave a brief background about the history of NDDA. He said that BOTEC came up with the idea of NDDA in 1999 so as to recognize inventions and innovations that can offer solutions to some of the problems faced by the country by the year 2016 and beyond. According to him the initiative was prompted by realizing that there has been very little effort made to encourage, promote design and support aspiring inventors. The project was initially planned to be an annual event, but due to lack of funds, the awards were only implemented twice in 2000/01 and 2004/05.

Dr. Edson Selaolo the Chief Executive Officer of BOTEC when welcoming the guests who filled the hall to capacity said that their presence was highly appreciated.  The CEO further said that presence of the guests “…is a clear testimony that they recognize that creativity and innovation are important components of product development that also result in industrialization and employment creation in any given country. And certainly this has been the case over many centuries”.

Officiating at the NDDA ceremony the Hounorable Assistant Minister of Trade and Industry Mr. Maxwell Motowane congratulated innovators and inventors who were receiving the awards for intelligent use of their creative minds for the welfare of the society. “I am delighted to be celebrating the achievements by our inventors and innovators with the hope that these inventions that are to be presented here tonight will contribute in the diversification of the economy now and for the future of generations to come,” said Motowane. Honourable Motowane went on to say that our country needs innovation to boost the economy and for employment creation, since diamonds are not for ever. He further said that innovation has to be encouraged given that as a nation, we have reached a stage where we either innovate or perish. The Assistant Minister therefore invited inventors and innovators to employ science and technology alongside innovation approaches to enhance production and productivity.

The keynote address by His Excellency the Japanese Ambassador to Botswana Mr. Ryoichi Matsuyama gave an insight on Japan’s experiences on the relationship between innovation and design. He mentioned that the developments of Japan were achieved without any resources, after experiencing the devastation of World War 2.  His Excellency said that previous governments of Japan introduced a drastic policy, which utilized coal reserves, Japan’s only natural resource, for steel production and power generation. The Ambassador further said that this stimulated the development of infrastructure and helped coal and food production, which helped extend the scale of the labour market.  When  commenting on the situation of Botswana  Matsuyama said, “ There are many potential innovators and inventors, who can contribute to the development of the country. I firmly believe that this award plays an important role in the process and I sincerely hope for further success and prosperity of the NDDA and BOTEC”.

On his statement of the judging, Mr. Matthews Ollyn the Chief Judge to a panel of judges during the evaluation of the NDDA entries said that the judging panel was made up of  17 representatives from different institutions such as Academia, R&D, Business Community, Government departments and parastatals . Ollyn  also said that 19 entries were submitted by individuals, students, teams, companies and entrepreneurs.  Out of the 19 entries, eight were short-listed during the first stage of judging. On the second stage of judging, the top three winners were selected by a panel of judges.

The first prize was awarded to a design and technology student  from Lobatse Senior Secondary school, Mr.  Osego Mokwaleng who has invented the Solar Electric Feeds Mixing Machine.The 18 year old student walked away with a hefty P20 000 from BOTEC, NDDA certificate from BOTEC, 200 US Dollars courtesy of ARIPO, ARIPO gold medal,  WIPO gold medal, WIPO’s Best Inventors Certificate and a trophy

The second prize went to the designers of the Pula Saver,  Mr. Pantanowitz Motshegwa and Ibo Ngebane. The two inventors got away with P15 000 courtesy of BOTEC, 200 US Dollars and a gold medal courtesy of ARIPO, WIPO Certificate of Merit, NDDA certificate from BOTEC and  a trophy.

Mr. Pule Mmolotsi’s invention which scooped the third prize was the Biometric Phone. He received  P10 000 courtesy of BOTEC, NDDA Certificate from BOTEC, 200 US Dollars and a gold medal from ARIPO, WIPO Certificate of Merit and a trophy.

There were also fourth prize winners who went away with  consolation prizes. These are Mogomotsi Gaebepe who made the Desert Wolf Aircraft, Masego Modiegane for the Self Closing Gate, Tumo Kgopo for the invention of the Grease Tapping System, Kefentse Mpaleng for his invention of the Multi Action Pump. The first prize winner Mr. Mokwaleng also got a consolation prize for his other invention of the Solar Automatic Water Drinking Machine.

 The night was packed with lots of events including the presentation by Mr. Timothy Moalusi from the Registrar of Companies & Intellectual Property who briefed the audience on “Intellectual Property in Creating an Innovative Nation”.  The Chairperson of NDDA Mr. Samuel Khumomotse gave a vote of thanks. Clement Jackson and Letsholo Traditional Dance Group entertained the guests,  while Tlotlang Raphuti from Ghanzi Senior Secondary School recited a special poem for NDDA.

BOTEC would like to take this opportunity to thank all stakeholders for their valuable contributions to the success of 2010 NDDA event.