The Department of Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Media Services, under the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, recently hosted a gospel-laced concert at the Mass Media Complex Auditorium.
It was a night of inspiration as the concert comprised scintillating performances by some of the best local gospel artists. The show, which was just one of a couple of fund raising activities lined up by the Department of IT and Media Services, opened with the Royal Tenors, before Mathews Matsetse serenaded the handful of spectators who braved the rather ominous weather conditions with his angelic vocals.
Tshepo Lesole was equally as impressive but it was the godfathers of the local gospel industry, Mmereki Marakakgoro and Phempheretlhe Bafana Pheto, who got the audience nostalgic and eating out of the palm of their hands with songs from their respective late nineties albums.
Mmereki got the ball rolling by getting the very enthusiastic audience to “eat some more” followed by other favourites “ke a ratana”and “moleofi”. Not to be outdone Phempheretlhe also went back in time to regurgitate some of the tunes that launched him to star status, including “lekunutu”and “Ketshepile wena” from his debut album. Other acts included Moroka Moreri, GK, Kay Zee, Tebbie and Franklin who did a breathtaking rendition of Barry Manilow’s “You raised me up”.
The Department of ICT and Media Services are responsible for interpreting and implanting information communication technology as well as media services in the education system.
According to Tsholofelo Ntshingane, the Principal Education Officer, their mandate is to ensure that all children are provided with modern and enhanced education through medium such as radio, television and internet.
“Some of our divisions include Braille production in Tlokweng, a media centre in Mochudi which trains teachers in ICT and another division in Francistown, which produces teaching aid gadgets. In Gaborone, we have educational radio and TV programmes on both RB1 and Btv,” said Ntshingane.
On the humanitarian issue, he said some of the projects undertaken include providing food baskets, toiletries, clothing, vocational training as well as building structures for selected families and individuals.
