Former Permanent Secretary in the erstwhile Ministry of Infrastructure Science and Technology (MIST)
Dikagiso Mokotedi
Former Permanent Secretary in the erstwhile
Ministry of Infrastructure Science and Technology (MIST), Dikagiso Mokotedi
first came into contact with the concept note for the establishment of Botswana
Innovation Hub while he worked for the state company responsible for advising
government on privatization strategies as well as implementation of
privatization, the Public Enterprises Evaluation and Privatisation Agency
(PEEPA) in 2009. His first thoughts of the proposed establishment of the country’s
first Science and Technology Park was delight, admiration and pride at the
forward thinking, game changing ideas that were being put forward to propel the
country to the next level of economic development.
A registered Architect with a Bachelor of Arts with
Honors in Architecture from Birmingham Polytechnic (UK) and a Post Graduate
Diploma in Architecture from the University of Central England, Mokotedi was
also awestruck by the designs of the iconic central buildings of the Botswana
Innovation Hub Science and Technology Park. Designed by
New York based SHoP Architects, the design concept for the central
building is framed around two distinct geographic and topographic features that
are culturally and environmentally significant to Botswana, the dunes and the
delta.
The embodied form and inherent characteristics of
the dune and the delta were significant drivers for the design of the world
class, iconic masterpiece of architecture. “The dune inspired the hardscape
patterns of the roof, while the oases of the delta inspired moments of relief
in the building and the relationship between the dune and the delta inspired
the barred form of the building, weaving together the hardscape and moments of
relief to create central oases within the Science and Technology Park,” says partner at SHoP Architects, William Sharples.
The state-of-the-art designs won the prestigious 2013
Autodesk Design Awards which are the epitome global design competition for
architects, engineers and digital artists.
As fate would have it, Mokotedi would come into
direct contact with Botswana Innovation Hub when he was appointed Director of
the Department of Building and Engineering Services in MIST in 2009. He later
ascended to Permanent Secretary of MIST in 2012. As director and later head of
the ministry responsible for the establishment and oversight of Botswana
Innovation Hub, it fell on Mokotedi’s shoulders to deliver the country’s first
Science and Technology Park and ensure that it delivered on its crucial mandate
- a responsibility he took with passion and determination.
“I have been involved with Botswana Innovation Hub
from conception through to construction of the Science and Technology Park and
implementation of its projects and programmes and this has been an exciting and
fulfilling chapter of my professional life,” says the result oriented and
diligent worker who boasts impressive results at the helm of the ministry
responsible for overseeing the construction and maintenance of national
infrastructure.
The establishment of Botswana Innovation Hub drives
a three ponged national strategic goal of economic diversification, job
creation and moving the country towards a knowledge-based economy. The company
aims to develop advanced science and technology innovation capital and
activities in the country by attracting innovators, channeling the requisite
support services and conditioning the investment climate. At the center of this
work is the attractive world class Science and Technology Park which offers a
unique platform for scientific, technological and indigenous knowledge-based
innovation.
Mokotedi views his role as government’s custodian
of the Botswana Innovation Hub Science and Technology Park as the architect of
the country’s knowledge-based economy. It was therefore with mixed emotions of pride
in the achievements made so far and detachment, loneliness and grief of the
empty nest syndrome when Mokotedi called on Botswana Innovation Hub management
and staff to bid them farewell following the re-organisation and re-designation
of government ministries and portfolio responsibilities that has resulted in
the dissolution of MIST.
Under the new arrangement, Botswana Innovation Hub
has been relocated to a new Ministry of Tertiary Education, Research, Science
and Technology led by Dr Alfred Madigele and assisted by Fidelis Molao. Mokotedi
and the former Minister of MIST, Nonofo Molefhi have been moved to the new
Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing Development.
In his farewell address, Mokotedi could not hide
his disappointment and the withdrawal prangs of the empty nest syndrome. He
said while it was hard for him to let go, he was grateful for the opportunity
to have contributed to the establishment of Botswana Innovation Hub and
accepted that it was perhaps time for others to take over and carry on with the
work.
“I am not good with goodbyes but now is the time to
thank you all for your hard work and dedication in getting Botswana Innovation
Hub to where it is today. You built it from zero to the colossal iconic beauty
it is becoming with the exciting and empowering programmes you are running
here,” he said. Mokotedi said the journey so far has not been easy but with
focus and dedication, a lot has been achieved.
He said that even though he will no longer be directly
at the helm of establishment of the Science and Technology Park, it is a
project he remains passionate about and pledged that he will always be
available to lend a helping hand to Botswana Innovation Hub. For his part,
Botswana Innovation Hub CEO Alan Boshwaen thanked Mokotedi for the cordial
working relationship the company enjoyed under his stewardship. He said a lot
was achieved because of the forward thinking and pragmatic leadership of the
Permanent Secretary. He went on to confirm Mokotedi as A Friend of Botswana
Innovation Hub for his contribution to the establishment of the Science and
Technology Park.
