*David Magang
It is a pleasure for me to join you all this evening as part of the opening of this magnificent building, soon to be named “Sechele Hall”.
When I was asked to be the keynote speaker for this event, I was told by the organisers that they wished to invite me on two accounts:
My reputation as an advocate of the capacity of local entrepreneurship as an agent for national development; and;
My appreciation of the historic legacy of this Hall’s namesake ÔÇô Kgosi Sechele I.
In both these contexts, I am indeed pleased to observe that the edifice before us is a notable reflection of what our private sector can achieve and a fitting tribute to a great Motswana.
The name Livingstone Kolobeng College was chosen as a reflection of the practical ideals that have guided this institution’s progress.
It pays tribute to this country’s first modern scholastic institution, built in 1848 by local Batswana under the guidance of two remarkable individuals ÔÇô the Scottish Missionary Dr. David Livingstone and the great Pan-Batswana resistance leader and statesman, Kgosi Sechele of Bakwena.
Few Batswana know or appreciate that if it were not for Kgosi Sechele I Botswana would be part of South Africa today. He fought hard and defeated the Boers in the Batswana/Boer war 1852ÔÇô3 to protect this country. My view is that if there is any son of the soil who deserves a bronze statue, it is Kgosi Sechele I.
Just over a hundred and sixty years ago, Sechele asked Livingstone, to assist him in establishing a school, as well as centre of Christian worship, at his new settlement, Kolobeng.
At the time, Sechele had great ambitions to make Kolobeng a centre of commerce and enlightenment.
In addition to Livingstone’s mission station, the new settlement soon boasted other innovations. A wheat field and citrus orchards bore testimony to the ruler’s interest in promoting new forms of horticulture.
A dam was built, connected to an irrigation ditch, in what unfortunately turned out to be a vain attempt to ensure a reliable water supply for the settlement’s rapidly expanding population, as well as experimental gardens.
In the vicinity, trenches and walled fortifications were also constructed in preparation for what Sechele foresaw as the inevitable day when his people would have to come together to defend their freedom against the then emerging power of the Boers, who coveted their land and labour.
Sechele further oversaw the emergence of Kolobeng as a centre of trade in ivory and other game products in exchange for armaments. His own royal armoury included a cannon, as well as the latest models of rifles. The South African Republic or the Boers were so worried about Kgosi Sechele’s accumulation of armoury that the Sand River Convention 1853 between the British and the Boers declared the sale of arms to African states illegal.
But, arguably, the greatest Kolobeng legacy was the school. Its construction was an early example of what was to become a common pattern of local empowerment through the mobilisation of communal labour for community development.
It is commonly believed that book learning was brought to this country by missionaries. But this is something of a simplification, though the role of the pioneer baruti should not be dismissed.
For his own part, Sechele had taught himself mathematics, as well as acquired literacy outside of a class room. For him, this was a process that had begun prior to his partnership with Livingstone.
To train the emerging generation for the new world, he saw, unfolding around him, a world he had begun to know from the newspapers and books he read, as well as the makgoa who were then visiting his country in increasing numbers,
Sechele set about to build the school by mobilising the labour of his mephato (age regiments).
Prior to independence, this is how all the schools in Kweneng and, indeed, most of the rest of Botswana, were constructed. Institutions like Moeng College were constructed by Bangwato tribe through community labour mobilisation.
They were the pride of their communities because they were the product of their communities.
Times and methods may change, but certain community values endure. Tonight we can all take collective pride in this structure, which is undoubtedly one of the best examples of a purpose built educational building in any secondary school in our country.
Too often we see school buildings that are rudimentary in their conception.
But here we have an edifice that shall be a functional icon for its own institution and an inspiration for others. Sechele Hall will house a library, resource centre, administration offices, and gym, as well as seven new classrooms.
Perhaps I should here give a brief background about this renewed institution of learning. Just two years ago this month a coalition of local and resident investors bought what was then known as New Era, with the backing of the Botswana Development Corporation as an equity partner.
In so doing, they took the first step towards realising their stated vision of nurturing an educational institution whose standards, activities and infrastructure would be second to none in the region.
In the very short time since, I am reliably informed, that this academy has gone from strength to strength.
Like all private institutions, private schools must survive on customer satisfaction, as reflected in their paid enrolment.
Livingstone-Kolobeng’s management and staff can thus take pride in the fact that the College’s enrolment has nearly doubled since the end of 2006 from 380 to 750 pupils – its full capacity. This is excellent progress by any standard.
I am, moreover, further informed that this Hall is but the brightest star in a constellation of refurbishment and new construction, which has transformed this campus in recent months.
Additional developments have included:
levelled sports fields,
new changing rooms a swimming pool, which should be in use during the upcoming third term; a multipurpose outdoor games area; an agricultural science department; orchards, and new staff’s lounge.
But, of course, these developments are secondary to the school’s best advertisement ÔÇô its world class results in form 5, 6 and “A” level examinations, which are all externally marked by Cambridge.
As someone who has experienced the trials and frustration of trying to get an idea off the ground, I salute the entrepreneurs who have begun to make Livingstone Kolobeng College a new benchmark for educational excellence in our country.
I am further pleased to hear that this school’s board remains committed to maintaining a reasonable fee structure so that this institution shall now and in the future remain accessible to ordinary members of the community. This shows an appreciation of the difference between educating an elite and elite only education.
The LKC Board’s proclaimed vision is, to create a quality academic institution that is both local and global in its identity. An institution that is proud of its roots in Botswana, while being mindful of the need to maintain a profile that reflects its emerging status as an international institution preparing students for the ever evolving challenges of the global market place.
Ladies and Gentlemen, while quality public education has been and remains the bedrock of this and all other successful societies; private institutions also have a role to play as centres of innovation, as well as excellence.
Elsewhere, even those nations with the best public education systems benefit from the competitive example of private establishments.
Comparative statistics of the performance of local students, in both public and private institutions, alongside their peers elsewhere in the world, already show Batswana to be leaders in the region, and increasingly competitive with the rest of the world.
But do we, as a society, appreciate this fact? Are we capitalizing on it?
My own perception is that in this, as in many other areas, too many among us are still hesitant in giving full credit to what is home grown. There is an underlying tendency to accentuate the negative, while looking past the positive.
Thus, where other societies celebrate their success ÔÇô thus the word celebrities ÔÇô we have the so-called pull him or her down syndrome.
Be it out of modesty, or conformity, when it comes to genuine, value added, success we are too often a seeming secret even to ourselves.
In today’s rapidly globalising world such sentiments will get us nowhere. We need to be confident of who we are and what we have. We need to stand up for each other, and collectively stand together against those who would pull all of us down.
We can expect that, in the future our society will face even greater, global, challenges. If we are insecure in our own identity, we may respond with inward looking, ultimately self-defeating, responses.
But, if we are united in our self-confidence, and in our own sense of self-worth, we can and shall positively meet any challenge.
Let me, therefore, also take this opportunity to appeal to the students of this fine institution to be proud of themselves and their school, while rejecting all that is negative around you.
Reject all those who would pull you down so as to deny your potential to be a celebrity. Instead, have the courage to be constructive, recognising that you are all already world class competitors.
In an envious world that too often encourages mediocrity, in a confused pop culture that too often celebrates juvenile delinquency, you should be true to your own positive sense of being.
Ladies and Gentlemen, with these words let me conclude by once more congratulating all the LKC stakeholders for making this event possible.
* David Magang, a leading businessman, is a former senior Minister of State. He was speaking at the grand opening of Sechele Hall at Livingstone-Kolobeng College, Thursday, June 26, 2008.
