Mark Cutifani stresses importance of education in steering Botswana achievements

Mark Cutifani, Chairman of De Beers Group and Chief Executive of Anglo American, highlighted the importance of education to the attendees of the University of Botswana Foundation annual gala dinner.

He noted that “while what has been achieved since independence deserves global applaud, we should acknowledge that education has been a principal enabler in delivering Botswana’s achievements since independence”.

In his address, Mr Cutifani said that “the demand for quality education will continue to grow, supporting the creation of a virtuous learning and development cycle and economic growth”. He highlighted three issues around education that need to be addressed:

- The challenge for universities is to send out “self-reliant graduates who realise that secure jobs for life, either in government or business, are increasingly rare”.

- Worldwide “we need a new inclusive approach to solving the problem of unemployment, directed at nourishing entrepreneurism and the development of small and medium sized enterprises”.

- Supported by Anglo American and De Beers, Tokafala, the enterprise development scheme in Botswana, “reinforces the concept of self-reliance derived from possessing the necessary skills to succeed”.

Mr Cutifani encouraged everyone present to continue to support education and skills development in Botswana and “invest in our youth, because they are the future – the future of this great country, and the future of the industries that will underpin its economy”.