Dimension Data, a global IT solutions and services provider, has been praised by the Botswana government for its Citizen Empowerment Partnership initiative with Principal Investments, a group of local Botswana business persons who acquired a 49% equity stake in Dimension Data Botswana earlier this year.
At the official launch of the empowerment partnership, attended by delegates from the Botswana government, local business and community leaders, Marianne Nganunu, permanent secretary, Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology, commented: “This partnership should be seen as an initiative that has the potential to open doors for this country and its economy and to set an example for other foreign and local companies to do something similar.”
The Botswana government would like more local companies to establish joint ventures with foreign multinational companies as they provide a valuable avenue through which Botswana can keep abreast with emerging technologies and not be left behind in the global race.
During her keynote address, Nganunu referred to Dimension Data as a “company with know-how, access to new and cutting-edge technologies, and a company with a strong and resourceful leader.”
Andile Ngcaba, chairperson of Dimension Data in Africa, attended the launch in Botswana and commented: “Our African growth strategy is about partnerships that create strong local companies that can contribute to the long-term economic and social development. By providing access to new technologies and access to information and communications technology (ICT) experts and centres of excellence, Dimension Data in Botswana will be able to assist in developing a strong base of local ICT skills.”
“Dimension Data has already initiated a training programme to up-skill and cross-skill local Botswana citizens, with a long-term objective of filling senior operational positions through this initiative,” commented Keith Marais, CEO of Dimension Data in Botswana.
The citizen empowerment partner, Principal Investments, is led by prominent Botswana businessperson Lawrence Lekalake. In referring to Principal Investments, Mrs Nganunu commented “the local team brings not only financial backing but also a wealth of expertise about Botswana, its people, its policies and its principles”. — I-Net Bridge