BITRI hosted the 5th Public Seminar on Tuesday 14th April 2015. The Seminar topic “Tswana Management Redux: the use of bola jwa marapô as a generic strategy tool” aimed to explore the application of some basic principles of a single tool of bongaka – bola jwa marapô, as a management tool.

In his Opening Remarks, the Deputy Permanent Secretary, in charge of Research, Science and Technology in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology (MIST), Dr. Keoagile Molapong said the establishment of a new organization requires patience and continued commitment, and expressed satisfaction with the progress that BITRI has made as well as commending the organization for hosting the Seminar under the stated theme.

“Is it not often Scientists are willing to embrace indigenous knowledge, especially that may be deemed to be nothing but superstition. So, the topic of today’s BITRI Public Seminar that looks at the application of some basic principles of bongaka as a management tool is really interesting indeed and we are looking forward to it,” said Dr. Molapong.

The Guest Speaker Mr. Thulaganyo Ntsatsi, who is also credited as a pioneer in the ICT filed in Botswana said, “Bola Harmonised Systems Strategy and given the acronym BoSa, is a framework that provides cognitive assistance for interrogation of driving factors – ditaola – essential for effective environmental scanning, goal setting and goal-striving, which underpin the fulfilment of requirements.”

“The greatest potential of BoSa is unlocked from the values of complexity, duality and harmonisation that drive it,” he added.

Mr. Ntsatsi elaborated this concept using a youth-run poultry project with a task of achieving profitability and preferred that through the use of ditaola, the business owner can be able to discern and predict the complex processes necessary for her to achieve her set business goal.

Various speakers amongst the audience expressed their desire for society to embrace indigenous knowledge, customs, practices and norms. The Seminar was attended by senior officials from MIST, BITRI Staff, representatives of Dingaka Association, private business owners, students, and the media.