Chief Justice Ketlogetswe has issued a powerful challenge to all government institutions, urging them to follow the Administration of Justice’s lead in fostering innovation and collaboration with local institutions. Speaking at a Judicial Conference here, the Chief Justice highlighted a groundbreaking partnership between the Administration of Justice and the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) to develop a home-grown judicial case management system.
The Chief Justice’s remarks were a direct challenge to the often-held practice of procuring foreign-made systems and solutions, which are frequently costly and not always tailored to the specific needs of Botswana. He emphasised that the collaboration with BIUST is a strategic move to leverage local talent and expertise, building a system that is not only effective but also sustainable and scalable.
The Chief Justice declared that there is a wealth of talent right in the country and it is time to stop looking outside the borders for every solution. By partnering with local universities, systems can be created that are perfectly suited to the unique challenges and, most importantly, empower the people of Botswana.
The new judicial case management system, developed in partnership with BIUST, is expected to streamline court processes, reduce case backlogs, and improve overall efficiency within the judiciary. This collaborative model is a testament to the potential of public institutions and academia working together to drive national development. The Chief Justice urged other government departments to seek similar partnerships with local universities and research institutions, a move that could lead to a wave of innovation and a more self-reliant public sector.
