Ditihalo was recently appointed as the curator of the Gaborone chapter of the Global Shapers community. In this interview, he expounds more on the mandate of the community, the role of such initiatives in fostering youth participation in tech, the challenges such initiatives face and how they have been able to traverse through them.
In your own words, please tell us who Ditihalo Mmusi is?
Ditihalo Mmusi comes from Maun and lives by the mantra of approaching life with optimism and being present in all. I am passionate about grassroots organizing and community work. As a newly appointed leader of the Global Shapers community Gaborone hub, I am committed to promoting a culture of understanding, empathy, and empowerment, I believe in creating a supportive and inclusive environment for all.
I work for USAID Global Health Supply Chain Program- Procurement and supply management (GHSC-PSM) project as a Logistics MIS officer supporting MoH central medical stores Logistics Unit with supply chain data analysis and visibility and use to the last mile.
Briefly take us through your journey to a career in tech.
In 2019, I started my career as a data clerk, and over time, my skills and responsibilities expanded, leading me to pursue my current role as an LMIS officer. Working within the health supply chain domain, I leverage technology to gather, structure, analyze, and distribute diverse supply chain data. Find innovative solutions for the optimal use of supply chain data. My focus lies in finding solutions to maximize the utilization of this data and utilizing it to guide data-driven decision-making.
What motivated you to pursue this career path?
When I initially applied for a course at Ba Isago University, I had limited knowledge about the supply chain. However, as I explored deeper into the subject, I discovered numerous opportunities that strongly resonate with my career aspirations, and my love for the profession grew significantly. Currently, I am exploring data analytics in the health supply chain.
You were recently appointed as the Global Shapers Curator for Botswana. Please tell us more about the Global Shapers community and your role
In 2011, Professor Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, founded the Global Shapers Community to empower young people to play an active role in shaping local, regional, and global agendas.
The Global Shapers Community is a non-profit organization registered in Geneva, Switzerland, and housed at the World Economic Forum. The Forum’s contribution to the Shapers organization includes significant financial and in-kind contributions for operational support including staff time, technology tools, and opportunities to interact and collaborate with its membership network.
The Global Shapers Community is a network of inspiring young people under the age of 30 working together to address local, regional, and global challenges. With more than 14,000 members, the Global Shapers Community spans 456 city-based hubs in 150 countries. The Global Shapers Community believes in a world in which young people are at the heart of solution-building, policy-making, and lasting change. Our mission is to inspire, empower and connect young leaders to reach their full potential, shape decision-making processes, and drive positive change in their communities and the world.
In each city, teams of Shapers self-organize to create projects that address the needs of their community. Projects are wide-ranging – from responding to disasters and combating poverty to fighting climate change and building inclusive communities. Shapers are diverse in expertise, education, income, heritage, and identity, but are united by their desire to bring about change.
In Botswana, we have one active hub founded in July 2012 and recently been officially registered as a trust and is a member of BOCONGO.
My role as the Curator involves overseeing its growth and development and acting as the primary liaison with Global Shapers HQ
How important do you think such initiatives are in fostering youth participation in fields like tech?
Global Shapers join an inspiring network of innovators, activists, entrepreneurs, and changemakers from around the world. Members are connected globally through technology, training, events, and activities to share solutions, grow their skills, and extend their impact.
Exposure to the World Economic Forum and its network of partners inspires Global Shapers and fosters intergenerational action. Global Shapers derive unique benefits from their affiliation with the Forum, including access to global insights, initiatives, and interactions.
From being involved with such initiatives for a couple of years now, how would you gauge their effectiveness and if there is a need to, what can be done to improve their effectiveness?
In my experience as a Global Shaper, I have actively participated in projects that have not only had a profound impact on my own life but also on the lives of individuals within my community. Being around like-minded and passionate individuals, we have collaborated and united our efforts to develop solutions aimed at addressing various social issues within our communities.
I have been fortunate to be part of discussions where I not only represented my own voice but also advocated for the concerns and perspectives of my community ensuring their perspectives are heard and considered in decision-making processes.
Yes, these initiatives do work.
For young people who are not part of these communities, how would you sell their mandate to them?
Being a Global Shaper involves proactively shaping the world around us by fostering collaborations and generating tangible solutions to pressing local and global issues. Being a shaper, it’s about recognizing the areas where we have influence and taking proactive steps to bring about positive change within our communities. As youth voices are heard and acted upon, we can have a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable future for all.
Please share any projects that the Global Shapers community will be undertaking in the near future that our readers need to know about
The New Social Contract (NSC) is a project undertaken by the Gaborone Hub of the Global Shapers Community, driven by a desire to address perceived gaps in Botswana's society. These gaps include a lack of awareness and understanding regarding the Botswana Constitution, its origins, functions, and its significance in governing the country.
The project's initiation is also motivated by the identification of unjust provisions within the Constitution that require careful examination and amendment. Additionally, considering the current outdated state of the Constitution, it does not adequately reflect the aspirations and ambitions of Botswana's youth, whose future it is intended to shape. Therefore, a comprehensive review and amendment of the Constitution are necessary to align it with the dreams and aspirations of those it aims to serve and to create a document that embodies inclusive and humane laws.
See: https://www.facebook.com/MotheooMosha
The Eco-conscience #CleanUpBw: Our project aims to cultivate a community that is more environmentally conscious and empowered to enhance its resilience in the face of climate change. We strive to achieve this by sharing tailored climate knowledge that is both relevant and timely for our community, considering its unique circumstances and experiences.
The primary activities of our project involve community clean-ups, informative presentations on the hazards of littering and practical ways to transform waste into valuable resources, as well as engaging with schools to influence the attitudes of young individuals who hold sway over their peers, parents, and extended families.
To symbolize our unwavering dedication, each activity will be commemorated with a tree-planting event within the respective school or community. These planted trees will serve as constant reminders of our commitment to fostering a more sustainable future and will contribute to the overall environmental well-being of the area.
The project was funded by: Climate Reality Project Incubator through the Global Shapers community
Upcoming projects:
LCOY: we have been selected to host an LCOY event for the first time in Botswana which is under the umbrella of YOUNGO, the official youth constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Its aims are to be a space to boost youth climate action locally and create an input into international conferences. It represents a national version of the International Conference of Youth (COY), which takes place immediately before the Conference of Parties (COP), the annual UN Climate Change Conference.
See: https://www.lcoy.earth/about-coy
Lastly, please share with our readers your contact details in case they want to get in touch with you
Email: globalshapersgc@gmail.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/globalshapersgc/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GlobalShapersGC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GaboroneShapers
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-shapers-gaborone-hub/
Personal :
Email: mmusiditihalo@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ditihalo-corban-mmusi-561357147/
Interview has been condensed for clarity and length.