By Phiwa Sikhondze
Botho University Eswatini Pro Vice-Chancellor, Golekanye Setume has welcomed new students to Botho University with a focus on employability and personal growth.
In an inspiring address, Setume shared valuable insights and guidance aimed at preparing students for a successful university experience and future careers.
Setume emphasized the importance of adapting to change and expanding one’s skill set. “Learn to accept change and adapt to it,” Setume said. “Those who are successful are those that stay ahead of the change curve by developing a new understanding of how the world works.”
Encouraging students to build their “skill stack,” Setume highlighted the necessity of applying knowledge practically.
“Your ability to do things – use technology, communicate better, think critically, build prototypes, solve problems – is what will build your skill stack,” Setume noted. He also urged students to connect with industry and volunteer their services, emphasizing the value of real-world experience.
Setume emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong routine and making success a habit, urging students to use their time at university productively and focus on meeting expectations.
He introduced the Botho Graduate Profile and the Career Growth Passport as essential tools for enhancing employability, explaining that these resources are designed to build key personality attributes that will help students succeed in any discipline.
Setume encouraged students to take advantage of the numerous opportunities available to them, both within and outside the classroom.
“You will come across many opportunities to develop yourself,” he said. “Jump onto every opportunity that comes your way – virtual internships, study abroad, and more.”
Highlighting the university’s international collaborations, Setume pointed to partnerships with institutions in Sweden, Germany, South Africa, the USA, and Turkey, which offer student exchanges and multicultural projects. Local activities, including sports and cultural events, as well as opportunities to develop entrepreneurial skills, were also emphasized.
Botho University’s presence extends beyond Eswatini, with campuses in Botswana, Lesotho, Nambia, and Ghana, making it a truly pan-African institution.
In closing, Setume likened the university experience to joining a gym. “The trainers and the equipment will be there, but unless you make an effort and run on that treadmill, nothing will happen,” he said. “The ball is always in your court, and you have to decide what to do with it.”