High Court Judge Justice Lot Moroka has hailed Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as a crucial player in development saying it has contributed to the development and progress of many economies. Moroka was speaking at the Mascom Botswana 20th anniversary celebrations held in Francistown at the weekend.
“Over the years and with the advent of ICT use, we have witnessed a transition within the legal space as the sector becomes less reliant on paper and transition to a paperless environment. Previously, we experienced delays in the courts process as a result of a highly manual process, however, this scenario has changed altogether,” he said.
The Judge said technology was now at the centre of the judicial system at various structures from the magistrate court, to the high court and the Court of Appeal. “We now use case management system whereby the records of court and the entire chronology of the case is computerized and even the allocation of cases is done through the computer,” he said.
Moroka further said such has been the advancement of ICT that it has found its way into the judicial system where private practitioners and judges are able to research in real time during the hearing of cases, including accessing the laws of Botswana and past cases using technology.
“To conclude I wish to end by recognizing the role that Mascom specifically has played in the past 20 years in the development of the telecommunications sector and specifically for the contribution to Francistown and the surrounding areas,” he said.
Speaking at the event Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mascom, Jose Vieira Couceiro said as Mascom turns 20 years they are grateful for many things including the support that they receive from their customers which has enabled them to be the market leader, with a market share of 53% and over 1.7 Million Subscribers.
“We are able to support Botswana Sport including the Mascom Top 8. And let me thank the City of Francistown for having been great hosts of the Mascom Top 8 for the past 3 years. Over the past 20 years, because of your support, we have been able to be compassionate and built 33 houses for the less privileged under The President’s Housing Appeal. In the north part of Botswana we have built houses in Bobonong, Malaka, Lecheng and Lerala,” he said.
Couceiro thanked all Mascom supporters and said it is because of their support that 105 young Batswana are now entrepreneurs and own Mascom Kitsong Centres in various villages in Botswana. He also said last month, Mascom showed leadership and courage when they launched a new company in the contact centre business which is called Direct BPO. This 100% subsidiary of Mascom is aimed at diversify their income streams and to expand their business.
The CEO concluded that “This 20 year journey has led us to this point where we are now ready to launch Fixed Internet and voice services, TV Streaming, Video on demand, and ecommerce. Last and most important, we have close to 400 employees and 99% of our employees are Batswana, and they are young Batswana, with an average age of 32.”
