In a surprising turn of events, Botswana’s President Dr Mokgweetsi E.K Masisi conceded defeat after the country rejected its longest-serving governing party, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) in the parliamentary elections held on October 30.



As per <a href="about:blank">reports</a>, Masisi’s conceding came in hours before the final results were announced. The BDP, which has governed the southern African country since 1966, stood at fourth place in the polls.



Voters took to the ballot across the diamond-rich country as Masisi, who has been President since 2018, sought to be re-elected for a second and final term in office.



The country has had its share of economic challenges.



Insights by <a href="https://www.coface.com/news-economy-and-insights/business-risk-dashboard/country-risk-files/botswana">Coface </a>(global provider of trade credit insurance, business information and debt collection) indicate long-standing issues of inadequate infrastructure (water and electricity production and distribution) and high unemployment rates, particularly among the youth – of about 23.4% in 2023. In 2022, the poverty rate was also relatively high at 14.5%.



Reverend Prince Dibeela, a political activist and President of the Botswana Labour Party, told AP News that this is the first time in more than four decades that “the state coffers are negative”.



“There are also more than 200,000 young people who are employable but cannot find work. We are a very fragmented society.”



“I will respectfully step aside and participate in a smooth transition process ahead of inauguration,” Masisi told a press conference on Friday in the country’s capital Gaborone. “I wish to congratulate the opposition on their victories and concede the elections. I am proud of our democratic processes and I respect the will of the people.”



Duma Boko, President of Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), emerged victorious in what has been described an overwhelming lead in the election. A lawyer by profession, taking part in the elections for the third time, Boko had continuously urged voters to stay at voting stations.



&#8220;Counting centres remain places of further rigging and we should not let up. Do not leave the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and police officers with boxes (ballot) during breaks. We will celebrate once the job is complete, not now. It is not over yet until the final ballot is counted,&#8221; he said in a statement, according to News24.



“We got it wrong big time in the eyes of the people,” Masisi told the press. “We were really convinced of our message. But every indication, by any measure, is that there’s no way that I can pretend that we’re going to form a government.”



Masisi said in an <a href="about:blank">audio</a> with Boko that he will start the process of a handover tomorrow, “and you can count on me to always be there to provide whatever guidance you might want.”



State television reported results showed that from 55 of the 61 constituencies up for grabs, the UDC won 32 seats in parliament.

BOTSWANA-VOTE

Masisi Concedes Massive Defeat: Boko Wins In Landmark Botswana Election Ending 58 Years Of BDP Rule

<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-our-commitment-is-to-respond-to-emerging-dynamics-one-of-which-is-opening-up-the-economy-for-fair-competition-h-e-dr-mokgweetsi-eric-keabetswe-president-of-botswana">“Our commitment is to respond to emerging dynamics, one of which is opening up the economy for fair competition.” H.E. DR. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe, President of Botswana</h2>



The 1960s marked a turning point in Botswana’s history as the country discovered diamonds that would make it one of Africa’s wealthiest in the course of a few years. Over the past six decades, the southern African country produced some of the ten largest diamonds in the world, the latest of which was a massive 2,492-carat diamond &#8211; the second-largest diamond in the world. But Botswana knows ‘diamonds are not forever’ and is pivoting away from relying on the mining industry to a knowledge-based economy, valuing human creativity and innovation. The shift is expected to expand the nation’s GDP from 4.7% to 5.3% by 2036, backed by an Indigenous Knowledge System policy and strategy that the country is currently



developing. President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s government has set its sights on education and skill development, implementing initiatives to improve funding and equip its workforce with relevant skills. “In the past five years, we’ve made significant investments in our education sector. We’re also introducing progressive legislation that will create a conducive environment for Botswana to support and facilitate innovation and embrace technology,” says Diane Mongudi, Acting CEO of the Botswana Digital and Innovation Hub.



According to the 2022 Global Innovation Index, Botswana has climbed the ranks to become the fifth most innovative country on the African continent. The country aspires to become an innovation hub in the region, supporting ICT companies, entrepreneurship, and digitalization, undertaking a significant initiative towards digital governance. In a commitment to enhance citizen access to services, the government has allocated over US$11.8 million to facilitate the online migration of 400 government services. To date, over 170 services have been successfully transitioned to online platforms. “Investing in Botswana offers a wealth of incentives. Lower taxes make it an attractive option, and you can freely repatriate your profits. We also boast an innovation hub with tax holidays ranging from five to ten years, depending on your chosen sector. Doing business in Botswana is now remarkably easy. Company registration takes just two days with a streamlined process. We’re a peaceful country with a strong record of good governance. This stability is especially evident this year, even with national elections approaching in October,” says Serty Leburu, Executive Director of the Botswana Accountancy College.



Botswana envisions an economic leap through the implementation of its Vision 2036 agenda, aspiring to join the ranks of high-income countries in the next 12 years. This transformation plan fuels investment in growth sectors like tourism, agriculture, and technology. Further solidifying this vision, the nation announced a massive 33% increase in infrastructure spending for 2024/25, focusing on water, transport, and energy.



<a href="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/PENRESA_FORBES-2024-BOTSWANA_32pags-v_16-1.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Download full report here</a>
</blockquote>



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<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="591" height="591" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/BOTSWANA-MPU-NEW_2024-1-1-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-63243" style="width:371px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/BOTSWANA-MPU-NEW_2024-1-1-1.jpg 591w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/BOTSWANA-MPU-NEW_2024-1-1-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/BOTSWANA-MPU-NEW_2024-1-1-1-150x150.jpg 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 591px) 100vw, 591px" /></figure></div>


In a strategic move to increase domestic production and self-sufficiency, the Botswana government implemented import restrictions on fresh produce in December 2021.



Recently extended to 2025, this policy aims to nudge the population towards entrepreneurship, particularly in agriculture. The government is further supporting this shift



by providing assistance to smallholder farmers. By fostering local production, the country aspires to meet its own food needs and potentially become a future exporter of agricultural goods. This ambition aligns with the country’s pride in being land-linked, not landlocked. Botswana strategically leverages its geographic position to not only benefit its own economy but also contribute to regional development. “Given the recent launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area, we can now envision Africa as a unified trade zone.



This represents a massive market with a combined GDP of US$3.4 trillion, which Botswana is strategically positioned to tap into,” says Andrew Madeswi, CEO of the Botswana Vaccine Institute.



Botswana has a well-deserved reputation as one of Africa’s least corrupt nations. President Masisi has made tackling corruption a cornerstone of his administration. He has implemented a multi-pronged approach, focusing on transparency, accountability, and strengthening the rule of law. This includes promoting ethical leadership and bolstering anti-corruption institutions to create a more robust system for combating graft. Masisi has also shown commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable development. He has supported initiatives to protect Botswana’s natural resources, preserve biodiversity, and mitigate the impact of climate change.
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Gaborone Central Business District

Botswana: Africa’s Best-Kept Secret

The diamond, discovered using Lucara&#8217;s Mega Diamond Recovery (MDR) X-ray Transmission (XRT) technology, is the second-largest ever found, following the 3,106-carat Cullinan Diamond from South Africa in 1905.



Diamond exploration and mining company Lucara indicates that it could take between three months to a year to determine the value of the 2,492-carat diamond recently recovered from its Karowe Diamond Mine in Botswana, the landlocked southern African nation where diamonds contribute over 90% of total exports and are a major source of fiscal revenues.



Managing Director of Lucara Botswana, Naseem Lahri, explains to FORBES AFRICA, “We are not in a hurry at this point in time. We don’t want to make any mistakes, especially looking at the impact of the stone, the provenance, and the way it is sold. We really want to make the best of this.”



Lahri emphasizes the importance of strategic planning, stating that the process will involve close collaboration with the Botswana government.



“For us, the first step is to look at the provenance, and to market the provenance, and to show people that natural diamonds bring a lot of benefit to the communities and the country itself,” she adds.



This find adds to the list of significant diamonds recovered from the Karowe Diamond Mine, including the 1,758-carat Sewelô and the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona, previously the second-largest ever diamond eventually sold for $53 million.



About interests attracted, Lahri notes, “Everybody will definitely be interested in something of that historical magnitude. You will never get a lab-grown diamond of this size; it will never ever happen. And these are natural diamonds coming out of the ground, you know, from Mother Earth.”



The analysis and strategy development for this diamond are critical, given its potential impact on both Lucara and on Botswana&#8217;s economy.



“We want to change the narrative on natural diamonds; they are not conflict diamonds, they actually benefit the communities that the diamonds are recovered in. The diamonds of Botswana benefit every citizen,” Lahri says.

DSC_22352

‘Diamonds Of Botswana To Benefit The Communities’: Lucara To Analyze And Determine Value Of Giant Diamond, The World’s Second-Biggest

Africa’s medal haul at the Paris Olympics was 39, spread across 12 countries, with a concerning curtailing of the continent’s dominance of the middle distance events in athletics and a lack of an impact in boxing.



Kenya, as is custom, led the African medal table with 11 medals, including four golds.



It is one more than in Tokyo but five down on the record 16-medal haul for the Kenyans at the 2008 Beijing Games.



Kenya did again provide some standout athletics performances, led by Faith Kipyegon, who secured her third Olympic gold in the 1,500 meters. Beatrice Chebet also shone, winning gold in both the 5,000 and 10,000 meters, while David Wanyonyi claimed victory in the men&#8217;s 800 meters.



But in the 3,000m steeplechase, where Kenya had won nine successive golds, it was Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali, who retained his title from Tokyo.



Arguably, Africa’s biggest moment came when Letsile Tebogo won the 200m, beating Noah Lyles in a poignant victory just months after the death of the mother of the Botswana sprinter.



Tebogo added a silver as he anchored his country’s 4x400m relay team to second place behind the United States. They were Botswana’s first-ever medals.



Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegi upgraded his 10,000m silver from Tokyo to gold this time round but then did not defend his 5,000m crown.



There was not a single men’s medal in the field events, although unheralded Jo-Ane van Dyk from South Africa took javelin silver on the last day of the program.



Ethiopia’s single gold came from Tamirat Tola in the women’s marathon, as they are also down on previous Games’ performances while Ghana and Nigeria failed to win a single medal.



“As we go back home, we must do everything to prevent future occurrence of the Paris disaster and if this will entail the review of how people are elected to lead our sporting Federations, it will be done,” warned Nigeria’s Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh.



The island nation of Cape Verde celebrated its first-ever medal, with David de Pina bringing home bronze in the men’s 51kg boxing division.



&#8220;They say I&#8217;m the hero because I give them one thing they never had before,&#8221; he told reporters.



&#8220;I put the name of the country around the world. They might think we don&#8217;t have the strength to win a medal, but we showed them that it’s possible.”

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Africa At The Paris Olympics: Kenya Leads Medals Tally While Nigeria And Ghana Return Home Empty-Handed

Sprinter Letsile Tebogo made history for Botswana and Africa when he was crowned Olympic 200- meter champion in Paris in a moving story that is about much more than just gold medals.



Tebogo raced to victory 19.46, ahead of a pair of Americans in Kenny Bednarek (19.62) and Noah Lyles (19.70), securing a first-ever gold medal for Botswana at the Olympics, and a first African win in the men’s 200m.



Lyles, the favorite who had earlier won the 100m crown, announced directly after the race that he had Covid-19 which had affected his performance, stealing the media limelight to a degree and opening a debate over whether he should have raced now for two days that he was ill, not only for his safety but of those around him.



Not that the quiet Tebogo would have minded the spotlight being off him as he reflects in a personal manner on his triumph, which comes just months after the death of his mother Seratiwa following a battle with cancer.



She had been a driving force behind his career and it was clear as the 21-year-old pointed to the heavens after finishing the crossing line that he was dedicating this victory to her memory.



&#8220;It&#8217;s basically me carrying her through every stride that I take inside the field,&#8221; Tebogo said. &#8220;To take her (with me), it gives me a lot of motivation. She&#8217;s watching up there, and she&#8217;s really, really happy.&#8221;



Lyles had been anointed as the heir apparent to the great Usain Bolt but had his 26-race winning streak in the 200m ended by Tebogo in the semifinals. Asked whether he was now the face of men’s athletics, the Botswanan said he would leave that to Lyles.



“I think, for me, I can’t be the face of athletics because I’m not an arrogant or a loud person like Noah,” he said. “I believe Noah is the face of athletics.”

Athletics – Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 13

The 21-Year-Old Who Has Won The First-Ever Gold For Botswana At The Olympics

Ireland has terminated visa-free travel from South Africa and Botswana, the country’s Justice Minister Helen McEntee announced yesterday. The application of the new requirements removes Ireland as one of the last visa-free travel destinations for South African citizens in Europe. This move comes despite the strong shared history of Ireland and South Africa, as well as the increasing annual trade between the two countries.



“The new requirements are introduced to bring Ireland into closer alignment with the Schengen Area and with the UK to ensure immigration controls are effective,” said Irish Ambassador to South Africa Austin Gormley in a video posted on the Embassy’s X account.



The decision, made just three years after visa requirements for South Africans were abolished post-Covid, is driven by a reported surge in asylum applications from travelers using South African passports, including individuals from Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This year alone, Ireland reportedly received 198 asylum applications from South African passport holders, highlighting concerns over misuse of visa-free privileges.



“A wide range of factors are taken into account when introducing visa requirements to ensure we can continue to facilitate travel with processes that are robust, effective, and fair,” said McEntee during the announcement.



Effective from tomorrow, July 10, the new visa requirements mark a significant policy shift. Transitional arrangements have been put in place for Botswana and South African passport holders who have already made travel arrangements, with the increased restrictions applying only to travel beyond August 9, 2024.



In anticipation of increased visa applications, Ireland has established an Africa Desk in Dublin to facilitate visa processing and diplomatic relations. Additionally, three new visa processing centers will be opened in South Africa by VFS Global, aimed at streamlining application processes and managing the expected influx of visa requests.



The economic impact of these new visa requirements is expected to be substantial. Visa-free travel previously facilitated a significant number of South African visitors to Ireland each year, contributing to tourism, business exchanges, and educational partnerships. With the introduction of visas, adjustments in travel patterns and economic relations between the countries are anticipated.



The ease of travel and cultural exchanges that characterized visa-free arrangements will likely be affected, potentially influencing investment flows and educational collaborations. Despite this, Ambassador Gormley was at pains to make clear that the new requirements were not a reflection upon the relationship between Ireland and South Africa more broadly. “Ireland enjoys very strong bonds with South Africa and friendship… please be assured that the warm Irish welcome will continue to be there.”



South Africa and Botswana’s passport rankings are likely to be affected by these changes, influencing their citizens’ global travel ease. The establishment of new visa processing centers in South Africa by VFS Global aims to manage the anticipated rise in visa applications and ensure efficient processing.

This is important, I need it to see the world

Ireland No Longer Visa-Free For South Africa And Botswana Citizens

I attended the US-Africa Business Summit in July in Botswana, a country I have lived in in my youth, as a bachelor and then as a parent to boot.



The kids were born in the country’s new and first private hospital, GPH, efficient and chic, way back in the 1990s.



The conference center is equally so today – sparkling, purpose-driven, punctuated by smart cops along the brand-new roads leading there. A hallmark of Botswana. No wastage. Elegantly done at just the right time.



I left Botswana 25 years ago and have traveled the globe a bit. A journey that made me understand geopolitics and see its hypocrisies. Yet, this Kalahari country of my youth quietly got so many things right: control over its primary resources, universal free health, education, buffering cattle farmers from market volatilities, infrastructure, institution building, respect for the law, clean elections, conservatism, and a policy-driven government staying true to its manifesto.



A case study on getting things done.



Yet, many of my old friends, prosperous and welcomed as they have been in their adopted country, remain critical.



I dare say I left them unmoved. Familiarity breeds contempt?



But if the country still had many flaws, diamonds too need imperfections to shine.



The weather that week was the quintessential Kalahari winter I had long forgotten. Cold and crisp in the shade and warm in the sun, dry in its core but embracing in its reach; epitomizing the Motswana spirit.



‘What you see is what you get.’ A GDP (Purchasing Power Parity) per capita of about $20,000, Africa’s best credit rating, and a literacy rate of about 90%. The country has shown what planning and execution can achieve in only five decades.



I have a special bond with it.



1966 is my birth year and the year of Botswana’s independence.



At that time, one of the poorest – with a GDP per capita of about $70 per year – landlocked and two-thirds desert, it has transformed itself from being hopeless to a developed country today.



The country’s tale of self-rule is intertwined with that of white supremacy to prevent a marriage between an African chieftain destined to be the first President and his white British fiancée. They overcame it against all odds while maintaining peace with an unapologetic British government and an apartheid neighbor, South Africa.



It is a story of love and self-belief.



And above all, supreme diplomacy from a rustic but wise nation to forge a modern nation. Indeed, a testament to the rural fabric of fortitude and patience.



If indeed a country’s future lies in its history, this country’s common sense is its foundation.



While there, my evenings were laced with nostalgic dinners. Soaked in old stories, revealed, regaled, and rekindled.



Touchingly, those lovely people of Gaborone, the country’s capital, served up my favorite cravings and my special indulgences. Bonded with love and tied with memories.



Humane but often elusive. Serene indeed to see people from yesteryears making time for you. The President is an imposing figure with conviction; he’s articulate and clearly visualizes a thriving, peaceful Botswana.



And indeed, he is so comfortable as an African thought leader.



I recalled the days of a ‘quiet’ Botswana.



Now, their charismatic leader espouses African collaboration, instilling hope, and embracing the wisdom that deliverance for Africa must come from ‘us, the people’.



He reiterates the enormous possibilities, the need to share knowledge within Africa and the necessity of collective bargaining.



The miracle that the continent survives despite the incessant barrage of exogenous influences should embolden us for greater things, not derail us.



I bow to Botswana, the cradle to my young impressionable days where the seeds of inspiration were sown in me.



I learned the joys of networking, collaborating, and understanding different cultures in this little unheralded town.



I learned humility was a tool, humanity a constant and hubris a disease. For prosperity, peace, and progress. In a continent of discontent, Botswana is that beacon of hope and tranquility. May it drive the destiny of Africa. A harbinger of greatness and a poster boy of solidity in the maligned and exploited continent of Africa. Thank you, Botswana, as you seek your rightful place among the great nations of this world.

Gaborone, South East, Botswana 27 April 2017 aerial panorama of  Main Mall

A Homecoming: To The Beacon Of Hope And Tranquility

For the first time on the African continent, the Forbes Under 30 Summit Africa kicked off in Botswana’s capital Gaborone yesterday, April 24, with 600 entrepreneurs in attendance for the five-day event.



At the opening night in Gaborone’s historic Main Mall, an outdoor shopping and commercial hub in the heart of the city, an audience of about 2,000, including summit delegates and members of the public, cheered and swayed to live music.



The country’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi, who&nbsp;took to the podium for the welcome speech, was greeted by more applause and celebratory ululations.



“Some of the finest under-30s that the world of entrepreneurship has to offer [are here], with 200 from Botswana, 200 from the rest of Africa and another 200 from the rest of the world… We will witness for the first time how Botswana harnesses the power of the entrepreneurial spirit and promotes conversations that foster innovations and creativity… In Botswana, the youth, being change-makers and future leaders, are continuously encouraged to play a leading role through various funding mechanisms from public to private sources… we have also embarked on digitization as the epicenter of our national development agenda and young people are being empowered through several initiatives,” said Masisi.



For the many watching, this was “a people’s concert” held in a place of significance.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



“The Main Mall is the original mall built after independence. A lot of us grew up here,” remarked Pat Dambe, Head of Corporate Affairs at the De Beers Group of Companies in Botswana.



The crowds gathered outside the Cresta President Hotel, overlooking the main stage.&nbsp;



“The President Hotel is a legacy hotel. And our President wanted to bring everybody back to where we started and it really is a renaissance. It’s a rebirth. And it’s all about young people, so it’s also the future. We are so excited to see the buildings around that have been upgraded,” added Dambe.



In the crowd, Kemo Kwadiba, the Managing Director of Care Medicals Botswana and one of the 200 entrepreneurs from Botswana sponsored by De Beers and the country to experience the summit, was ecstatic as local hip hop artist ATI took to the stage for an energetic performance.



“I am very keen to meet with entrepreneurs from Africa and the world at the summit; I want to share notes with them, all the way from here to Kasane, where I will be attending the second leg of the summit,” said Kwadiba.



Yet another young businessman in the crowd, Botsile Tshepo Moreba, the owner of Sanctified Delights Bakery in Bobonong, a&nbsp;small town in the country’s Central District, drove five hours to get here.



“I am not an Under 30 lister, but I feel like one,” he said.



Lenny Motshodi, a small-scale farmer who mainly sells lettuce, said he too was looking forward to mingle with other agri-preneurs in the audience.



Similar sentiments from summit attendee, Busi Pooe, the CEO of Tshimong in South Africa and also FORBES AFRICA’s 2019 30 Under 30 lister: “Tonight was hugely inspirational. I had the opportunity to reconnect with past FORBES AFRICA Under 30s from all over the African continent who&#8217;ve been recognized for their potential, and have actually gone on to realize it. President Masisi commented that Africa&#8217;s time is now and the youth are in the driving seat. I&#8217;m excited for the next few days of networking as it will continue to build on the momentum set tonight.”&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;



Just before Ghana’s DJ Black made his way to the stage for his much-awaited show, President Masisi concluded his speech, summing up the mood of the night: “My wife and I are in our dancing shoes and we are ready to rock!”

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An African Night Celebrating Global Entrepreneurship  

Meet the women challenging stereotypes deep in the bush in Botswana’s
tourism capital Maun, filling roles conventionally held by men.



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For 10 years, until 2018, Botswana had no First Lady, as President Ian Khama was unmarried. Botswana’s first First Lady, Ruth Williams Khama, the wife of Botswana’s first president Sir Seretse Khama, was recognized for her charitable work with women, and the current First Lady, Neo Masisi, is a champion for these causes too.



 However, Masisi is also an accountant by profession with an MBA and an impressive resume (United Nations Headquarters in New York, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in the Central African Republic). 



But not just on the frontlines, in the deeper realms of this southern African country and acclaimed tourism destination, there are more women defying stereotypes, especially in its famed safari industry. 



READ MORE | <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Bogolo Joy Kenewendo: Dismiss This Beautiful Continent At Your Own Peril (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/woman/2019/03/28/dismiss-this-beautiful-continent-at-your-own-peril/" target="_blank">Bogolo Joy Kenewendo: Dismiss This Beautiful Continent At Your Own Peril</a>



In
the country’s tourism capital of Maun, at Kwando Safaris, guests visiting the
iconic Okavango Delta waterways and predator plains of the Central Kalahari
might be surprised to discover that for over a decade, a majority team of women
have been behind the operation. 



“Having
so many women work in the company was never a policy; it just happened that
way. I guess that women were just more capable,” says Sue Smart in her office
in Maun. 



She talks about her role as the Director of Kwando Safaris for 12 years as an accidental occupation, but a gutsy corporate background primed her for the head position. 



“Coming
to Gaborone as a volunteer, I worked with children impacted by HIV/AIDS. Then I
visited the Okavango Delta on holiday. A chain of life events eventually led to
me working at Kwando Safaris’ Kwara Camp, volunteering back of house, in the
kitchen, with housekeeping – anywhere they needed it.”



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Ungwang-Makuluba-Moremi-Air-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-41513" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Ungwang-Makuluba-Moremi-Air-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Ungwang-Makuluba-Moremi-Air-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Ungwang-Makuluba-Moremi-Air-1-600x400.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Ungwang-Makuluba-Moremi-Air-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Ungwang-Makuluba-Moremi-Air-1.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>Ungwang Makuluba is Moremi Air&#8217;s first local female pilot. Picture: Melanie Van Zyl </figcaption></figure>



Formerly
a Director at PricewaterhouseCoopers, with a background in environmental
biology, it was a chance meeting with the owner that saw her grow from
volunteer to boss in just three months. “In many ways, I was not a conventional
fit for this role. I’m not African, a pilot, a guide, or a man, but my
background in other areas meant I could run a business – even in the bush.” 



Having
a woman at the helm has had significant side effects for the company. Many
women at Kwando Safaris hold high positions, from the general manager to
operations manager to those in reservations to sales and marketing. This
unofficial head office policy also extends into the camps in a formal staff
management plan, where each lodge has a male and a female camp manager always
on duty.&nbsp; 



Looking
at the origins of tourism in Botswana, it’s perhaps not surprising that
(generally speaking) travel in southern Africa has been a male-dominated
industry. After all, the very first visitors to Botswana’s wild spaces were
rough and tough gun-slinging, trophy-seeking tourists. 



The current CEO of Botswana Tourism is a woman and, attesting to the country’s progressiveness, she’s not the first either. Myra Sekgororoane is encouraging about women in the industry saying, “I have not encountered any significant challenges because of my gender. Perhaps, I have been lucky in that the hospitality and tourism industry tends to have a high predominance of females globally.” 



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According
to National Geographic, research shows working women in developing
countries invest 90% of their income in their families, compared to the 35%
generally contributed by men. 



Tumie
Matlhware and Ruth Stewart, managers for Travel For Impact, wholeheartedly
agree. The Maun-based NGO aims to spread the wealth generated from tourism
activities into the community, providing a direct and tangible link between
conservation and its benefits. 



“We
want tourism dollars working beyond the traditional tourism world,” says
Stewart, when we meet for coffee at the charming Tshilli Farmstall, another
female-run establishment in Maun. 



Travel For Impact has a powerful goal, with the slogan of “If every tourist who slept in our beautiful country paid 1 USD for every night they spent here, we would raise in excess of 300,000 USD per year”. 



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">By partnering with exclusive lodges, camps, tour operators and hotels in Botswana, funds generated are put into local community partners, such as support for basket-weaving cooperatives. Looking at the company profile, the NGO funds many projects that support women. </blockquote>



Stewart shares the scientific standpoint endorsed by National Geographic, saying: “Women are the backbone of the community. If you support women, it gets passed down. They buy food, school supplies and more. They are the pillars of society.”&nbsp; 



The corporate social responsibility choice at Kwando Safaris concurs. Smart believes that “the ultimate saviors of animals are people, which is why we sponsor the grassroots initiative, Mummy’s Angels, instead of a more usual conservation project”. 



Mummy’s
Angels started in April 2018, spearheaded by three women in Maun, to empower
mothers with newborns who have little by way of financial support. 



“We
had second-hand clothes and other baby items in good condition and wanted to
donate somewhere it would make a difference,” says one founder, Rochelle Katz. 







<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Mokoro-Sophie-and-Nora-15-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-41512" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Mokoro-Sophie-and-Nora-15-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Mokoro-Sophie-and-Nora-15-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Mokoro-Sophie-and-Nora-15-600x400.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Mokoro-Sophie-and-Nora-15-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Mokoro-Sophie-and-Nora-15.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>Poling visitors through the Okovango Delta. Picture: Melanie Van Zyl</figcaption></figure></div>



Thus,
they put the word out and soon began delivering baby bags stocked with
essentials, such as nappies, clothes and wipes, plus pyjamas for the mothers. 



“Items
that seem so indispensable to us count as luxuries to these moms. Women come
from as far as Ghanzi to give birth in Maun, often they have very little with
them, or the moms are young without work or funds to support a family,” says
Katz on a visit to the maternity wing at Ngami District Health Management Team.




“Luckily,
there is no one in need today,” a nurse smiles, as Katz walks in. The local
Maun hospital certainly approves of the initiative, which is driven by need
rather than imposed, and the nurses on duty identify mothers that can benefit
from the meaningful baby bags. 



Speaking
of children, Bontekanye ‘Bonty’ Botumile is a research student based in Maun
specializing in oral traditions and land use. She is also a prolific
story-teller. 



“I
come from a family of story-tellers, and I think maybe because I don’t have
children, I needed a channel for my stories. I created books such as Tlou
the Elephant to share what I’ve learned and to pass on the teachings I
learned at home.” 



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She
believes that women are predominantly custodians of culture, passing it onto to
children in diverse ways that include story-telling. “My challenge isn’t so
much a gender issue, but a sector issue. Carving a niche is hard work. I am
trying to develop cultural tourism in a destination renowned for wildlife. It’s
a steep incline on many levels.” She is also an inspiration for others. 



“If
it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have joined the tourism industry,” says Wabone
Temane. Hailing from Moeti Ward in Maun, Temane is the current camp manager for
Pom Pom Camp, a luxury stay in the Okavango. She’s been in tourism for almost
20 years but admits to some gender-based challenges. 



“As
a female manager, I come across people who do not want to be supervised by a
woman. They are afraid of change and do not accept criticism easily. They can
even change the whole working environment since they are full of negativity and
very influential on the other staff. It’s very disrespectful at times.”
However, there is strength in numbers. 



“Bontekanye
‘Bonty’ Botumile is my inspiration in the tourism industry. She has always been
very supportive and encouraging – a sister, indeed,” she adds.&nbsp; 



Camps
such as Pom Pom are famed for its forward-thinking environmental policies and
sustainability, but the crucial means to access and experience Botswana’s
remote landscapes is to fly in.&nbsp; 



Ungwang
Makuluba is Moremi Air’s first local female pilot. “About 20 pilots in Maun are
female, and I think 12 of us are locals too,” she says, when we meet at the
Maun Airport. 



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Mokoro-Sophie-and-Nora-14-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-41514" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Mokoro-Sophie-and-Nora-14-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Mokoro-Sophie-and-Nora-14-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Mokoro-Sophie-and-Nora-14-600x400.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Mokoro-Sophie-and-Nora-14-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Mokoro-Sophie-and-Nora-14.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>A mokoro is one of Botswana&#8217;s most iconic travel offerings. Picture: Melanie Van Zyl </figcaption></figure>



“The
guys I’ve worked with have been very supportive, and I’ve learned so much from
them. I think we are past the stage of flying being a male-dominated industry
and there’s been gradual change. I want to work for Air Botswana. It’s great
flying across the Delta, but I want to work for my country.”



The
General Manager of Moremi Air, Kelly Serole, has been in charge for over 10
years, reinforcing the notion that women are not new to the safari scene. 



From
the sky to the soil, two more women demonstrate this on the ground. Floating
through on the waters of the Okavango Delta in a mokoro (a traditional
dugout canoe) has to be one of Botswana’s most iconic travel offerings, yet, at
many high-end lodges, you’ll find its a male guide that steers guests between
the tall reeds and yellow-centered waterlilies. 



The
Okavango Kopano Mokoro Community Trust (OKMCT) early on saw the need to include
women in their operations. On an overnight trip facilitated by Delta Rain,
Sophie Kehemetswe and Nora Tsaru, pole visitors through the UNESCO World
Heritage Site waters of the Okavango Delta. 



“More
women are poling the rivers now than men; there are many women,” the two agree
when asked about the gender split. 



“It
can be difficult to get the guiding license though. I studied for a month,
which includes a written test and interview. Some old women in the village
cannot write,” says Kehemetswe, as she gently poles between the swishing reeds.




A
community-run operation, the OKMCT operates in six villages at the southern
access points to the Delta, namely Ditshuping, Boro, Xharaxao, Xuoxao, Daunara
and Xaxaba. This safari offering started back in 1997, and a visit to head
office reveals that women were included in the operation as early as 1998 – just one year into
business. 



“I can
lead walks on the islands as well. I much prefer walks to the canoeing and
seeing zebra is my favorite – that is our national animal. Do you know why? The
zebra is black and white reflecting our history. Sir Seretse Khama, a black
man, married Ruth Williams, a white woman. All people are welcome in Botswana,”
she smiles proudly. The
country’s two First Ladies can be proud. &nbsp;



Meet the women challenging stereotypes deep in the bush in Botswana’s tourism capital Maun, filling roles conventionally held by men.



&#8211;Melanie Van Zyl

Mokoro – Sophie and Nora-12

No Longer In The Wilderness

The exuberance of youth might be just what the doctor has ordered for Africa. There is no doubt that the zest this minister has for her responsibilities will take the continent far.&nbsp; 



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



Bogolo Joy Kenewendo has hit the ground running in her role
as Botswana’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, while making history
as the youngest person to be appointed in the position. She, however, takes it
all in her stride as she has always wanted to impact people’s lives.
Kenewendo’s outlook injects a fresh perspective on how she, and her
counterparts in strategic positions, intend on enriching a continent brimming
with possibilities. She shares her views on education, finance, empowerment as
well as traditional practices. 



Q. Are you Africa’s youngest minister, and how does it feel to be “a first” in your career path?



A. I’ve heard rumors that I am the youngest but I have no
confirmation. It’s been a great surprise and an honor. I was so humbled by all
the good wishes and cheers from around the world. I, however, say youth
leadership was the flagship of the political independence and revolution, and
so it should be for the economic independence revolution that I believe our
generation should lead. 



Most of the revolutionary leaders who brought Africa its independence were younger and some of the same age [as me]. 



Patrice Lumumba was 29 when he was, unfortunately,
assassinated as Prime Minister. Kwame Nkrumah, Sir Seretse Khama and Julius
Nyerere were in their late 30s, early 40s. Graça Machel was 30 years old when
she became Minister of Education in Mozambique.



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Q. Why did you choose politics?



A. I have always wanted to do something that I felt could
have an impact on people’s lives. I studied Economics and worked as an
economist because I believed it was a good choice for those looking to
interrogate policy and make informed adjustments to the benefit of all. Where I
am at the moment, I get to be part of the highest decision-making body in the
country that directly affects people’s lives.



Q. Being young, African and a woman, what does representation mean to you?



A. Representation is very important. We all need to be
reminded of what is possible in the world. People from what is termed
“backwater villages” need to see the girl from Motopi and be comforted in that
you don’t need to come from big cities, or have a “known name”, or be of “a
certain age”. If you work hard and represent yourself well, someone will take
note. The world is always watching.



Q. Describe your academic/career path and the plans you have for Botswana.



A. I have a BA in Economics and MSc in International Trade
and I’m pursuing some more higher learning. 



My team and I have plans of making Botswana the startup
capital of the region and we are repositioning Botswana as a gateway into the
rest of southern Africa. 



We are doing so by working on our business reforms, to enable doing business in Botswana and working on a one-stop border post services with our neighboring countries. 



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We are also investing in transport and ICT infrastructure
and of course, providing incentives, including a competitive corporate tax rate
of 5% in designated and reserved areas, as well as, government offtake
agreements with manufacturers who meet government needs most importantly. We
offer hospitality that is synonymous with our proudly Botswana culture, all
premised on Botho, democracy, accountability and peace.



Q. Africa has a prominent rural population that often has less civic participation because of lack of resources. What would you say to them?



A. Living in a modern economy doesn’t mean we should abandon
some traditional ways of engagement and accountability. We should enhance them
and demand for governments to notice them for the purposes of inclusivity. 



No government should wish for a disengaged population, it’s
in their best interest to ensure inclusivity and, therefore, such efforts
should be rewarded. In Botswana, the government holds the rural and traditional
courts highly and uses them as a key consultative and engagement/ participation
platform. 



The kgotla system has now been copied and exported by
thought leaders, recognizing Tribal Management of inclusivity, a community
spirit and ensuring that each gets the chance to voice his or her opinions,
every stage along the way. Echoing the true meaning of lekgotla, “I am because
we exist,” which in the West is democracy, ‘for the people, by the people’. 



Q. Share your highlights and the most challenging moments you’ve had so far.



A. Leading this ministry and working for the people of
Botswana is an everyday highlight. Every moment has been quite intense because
I’m aware that the hopes of many rely on this ministry and our cooperation with
the rest of government. 



I thank God every day for the strength, wisdom and joy
(especially in the face of adversity) he gives me to do this role.



My first international engagement following my appointment was to chair a SACU Ministers of Trade meeting which had some high temperature issues. There was no easing into the job. 



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It felt like I was David thrown into the ring, before sizing
up Goliath. Fortunately, as it did for David, it went well for me. I am
currently coordinating and chairing trade agreement negotiations on behalf of
SACU+Mozambique with the UK (to deal with the potential trade disruptions due
to Brexit). It is a landmark event and, as a result, so is this agreement. 



At home, our investor after-care company visits bring my
team and I so much joy as they show us what’s possible – the productive
capacity in Botswana. These as well as removing roadblocks for companies and
seeing them flourish. In this short space of seven months, we’ve seen great
progress and this is reassuring. 



Q. What are your economic views of the Africa continent?



A. I am pan-African. I love Africa, I believe in Africa.
Some say the ‘Africa rising’ story is no longer valid but I say ‘dismiss this
beautiful continent at your own peril’. 



I’m hopeful about opportunities, of increased intra-African
trade, that will be unlocked by the&nbsp;
AfCFTA [African Continental Free Trade Area] as well as Tripartite Free
Trade Area. 



Many more African leaders and up-and-coming leaders are alive to [the idea] that it’s only through our cooperation that we can pull ourselves out of our current debilitating state. And to that end in Setswana, we say “kgetsi ya tsie e kgonwa ke go tshwaraganelwa” (Together, we can do more).



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Q. What message do you have for Africa’s girls and women?



A. Never let anyone make you believe that you are not
enough. 



You are enough. 



Public spaces, leadership spaces, money spaces are female
spaces too! The most important thing is to ensure we are not comfortable in
being the ‘only woman’ at the table. Any space can do with diversity. 



Please be your sister’s keeper, send the ladder down, extend
a hand (a helping one, even a comforting one, will be most welcome).&nbsp;

Bogolo

Bogolo Joy Kenewendo: Dismiss This Beautiful Continent At Your Own Peril

Climate change is going to have huge consequences all over the world,&nbsp;especially in Africa. Harvests will be affected, threatening agricultural outputs. This could hurt farmers and lead to greater food insecurity.



But there hasn’t been much discussion about what effects climate change will have in other areas – like in the continent’s small and medium business sector. This is a worrying oversight.



Our&nbsp;research, conducted in Zambia and Botswana, revealed that businesses activities faced major disruptions during the 2015/2016 El Niño event. This was a result of drought-related water supply disruption in Botswana’s capital Gaborone, and disruption to hydroelectricity supplies in Zambia’s capital Lusaka.



El Niño&nbsp;is one of the key drivers of variations in global climate conditions between different years. It recurs every two to seven years and it’s typically associated with reduced rainfall and drought conditions in southern Africa.



Reflecting this trend, the 2015/2016 El Niño was one of the&nbsp;strongest on record. It brought widespread drought conditions and heat waves to the region.



By impacting urban water and hydroelectricity supplies, this had major consequences for business activities in Gaborone and Lusaka, as our research shows. These cities’ experiences should serve as a warning for others across the continent, and systems should be put in place to protect particularly small businesses from the worst realities of a changing climate.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Under pressure</h4>



In Botswana, as lake levels in the Gaborone Dam dropped to&nbsp;historical lows, businesses in Gaborone experienced decreased water pressure. In some cases businesses were completely cut off from piped water supply.



Lack of water for food preparation, butchery, irrigation, laundry, cleaning and sanitation had dire consequences for businesses such as hotels and guesthouses, restaurants, food businesses and other service industries. Hairdressers and car washing enterprises, for instance, came to a standstill as they struggled to provide services to customers or to maintain hygiene standards.



In Zambia’s capital Lusaka, where hydropower accounts for&nbsp;94%&nbsp;of the country’s electricity generation capacity, low lake levels in Lake Kariba contributed to unprecedented electricity blackouts, often lasting for eight hours at a time.



In Lusaka, activities reliant on electricity such as manufacturing, processing and communications were interrupted as equipment was immobilised. Assets were lost because they couldn’t be reliably heated or refrigerated. In both cities, supply chains were disrupted.



<figure><iframe loading="lazy" width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Nu5pjijFFa4?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><figcaption>A video explaining the authors’ findings.</figcaption></figure>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Infrastructure issues</h4>



Towards the end of 2016, as El Niño drew to a close, more than half of the 135 micro, small and medium enterprises we surveyed in Gaborone and Lusaka told us their profits would be lower than previous years. Almost a third believed that their business was at risk of closing down. Business owners said disruptions to water supply and power outages, in Gaborone and Lusaka respectively, were the greatest obstacles to them doing business.



The two cities’ experiences, alongside the widely reported “Day Zero” water situation in Cape Town, South Africa, should sound a warning for businesses elsewhere on the continent. Water shortages in Cape Town began during the El Niño, but extended into 2018 as drought conditions persisted.



Climate change events like droughts are only going to get worse – and urban centres where many small, medium and micro enterprises thrive will be in the eye of the storm. The 2015/2016 El Niño highlighted that even fairly moderate changes in rainfall can have major consequences for businesses in African cities.



More people are moving to cities, setting up businesses and connecting, often for the first time, to water and electricity grids. This increases demand and places pressure on existing water and energy infrastructure.



At the same time, a complex set of factors has limited the development of new infrastructure and the effective management of existing resources. This means cities are struggling to keep up with the increased demand.



These factors, which include under-investment in infrastructure, policy uncertainty, governance challenges and poor municipal service provision, exacerbated the effect of drought in Botswana, Zambia and South Africa.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Preparing for a new reality</h4>



So what can be done to address these realities?



First, action is needed across sub-Saharan Africa to increase understanding of the vulnerabilities in existing water, energy and urban infrastructure – alongside the effects of increasing urbanisation and a changing climate.



And, second, small and medium sized businesses, which are&nbsp;key drivers of economic growth across sub-Saharan Africa&nbsp;and provide many people with a livelihood, need more support from governments and policy makers to help them cope with disruption.



This should include better access to information about the timing and severity of anticipated disruption to water and electricity supplies, as well as support to invest in coping strategies such as alternative sources of energy.



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kate-elizabeth-gannon-601360">Kate Elizabeth Gannon:</a>&nbsp;Postdoctoral researcher, London School of Economics and Political Science</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/declan-conway-434384">Declan Conway:</a>&nbsp;Professorial Research Fellow, London School of Economics and Political Science</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Patrick Curran, a policy analyst at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, also contributed to this article.</li></ul>

RC198DAA9370

Small Businesses In Africa Will Be On The Frontline Of Climate Change

In March, the MasterCard Index of Women Entrepreneurs (MIWE) report was released and it contained good news. Uganda has the highest percentage (34.8%) of women business owners in the world.
The East African country led in various key components of the survey; the highest percentage (90.5%) of female entrepreneurs in the world borrowing and saving money to start a business, highest (93.9%) labor force participation rate and a 100% women entrepreneurial activity rate, meaning women are as likely as men to start a business. Notably, cultural perceptions of female entrepreneurs in Uganda were surprisingly higher (68.8%) than the average (41.3%). Second in the index was another African country – Botswana at 34.6%. Sadly, out of the six African countries included in the 54-country survey, four were in the bottom half – South Africa, Tunisia, Egypt and Algeria.
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The survey reveals certain important points. First, women are good for business. Second, markets with supportive entrepreneurial conditions, such as strong SME support, high quality of governance and ease of doing business, tend to drive the progress of women business ownership. Lastly, women advancement in business is not tied to wealth and the level of development in the economy. In other words, the entrepreneurial drive of African women is exceptional. That said, going forward, it’s critical for the rest of the continent to emulate their trailblazing neighbors.
To achieve this, a key question needs to be answered: why should the African woman entrepreneur matter? Findings from the survey show that women entrepreneurs are the backbone of economic growth and are powerful engines of development and financial inclusion. Success for the African woman entrepreneur is success for the economy. Additionally, according to the MIWE survey, like most of their counterparts in developing countries, African female entrepreneurs are driven by resilience, determination and the desire to provide for their families. Investing in women benefits an entire community. Women are also opportunity-seekers and risk-takers – attributes that are vital in inspiring them to become entrepreneurs.
Harnessing these qualities will require the active participation of all stakeholders within the entrepreneurial ecosystem; financial institutions, government and private equity. In fact, women-led private equity funds can help catalyse this change by fronting this movement. With many of them now taking leading roles in developing private equity in Africa, their rise should in turn be positive for female entrepreneurs. Private Equity Women Investor Network (PEWIN), a global organization promoting senior women in private equity, estimates that there are more than 150 women in senior roles investing or allocating capital across Africa. This is crucial considering the MIWE survey mentioned lack of venture capital as a constraint on the African woman entrepreneur.
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Governments have a central role to play. Enacting business-friendly regulations, removing institutional inefficiencies and ensuring ease of doing business will go a long way in helping the woman entrepreneur realize her potential.
Family and society are also instrumental, especially when it comes to easing gender-related challenges that often hinder women from prospering in business, such as taking care of children. Further inroads can be made in other ways, including training and mentoring programs, honoring successful female business owners and encouraging women networking events.
A brighter future awaits the African woman entrepreneur. Although much of the African women’s full potential and value as entrepreneurs and business owners remains unleashed, gradually implementing a supportive environment will help pave way for more women in the market place.
Hopefully in the future, Africa can realize this and join Uganda as a leading light of the world. &#8211; Written by Rufus Mwanyasi

The Rise Of The African Woman

Reinette van der Merwe has been in the banking industry for more than two decades, and risen to be one of Botswana’s most formidable professionals, but says she still sees glaring gender imbalance in the boardroom – most times, she is the only one woman present.
Van de Merwe, Managing Director of Barclays Bank of Botswana, is aware giant strides need to be made to include more women in corporate Africa.
“I have never really seen gender until a couple of years ago when it was pointed out to me that I am the only woman in the boardroom,” laughs the 47-year-old.
While she never felt discriminated against at any point in her career, her exposure and interactions with other women have highlighted to her that their experiences are not all the same.
While 40% of today’s global workforce is female, only 5% of women hold global chief executive positions in Africa.
This is a far cry from the desired target of 50% to achieve gender equality, according to a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers.
In South Africa, there is only one female chief executive in the Top 40 JSE-listed companies and that’s Maria Ramos of Barclays Africa.
<a href="http://www.forbesafrica.com/woman/2017/08/14/we-men-for-women/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">We, Men For Women</a>
Van de Merwe worked her way up the ranks and was appointed Managing Director in 2013 after serving as Chief Internal Audit Executive. She is also an avid equestrian.
“I never thought I’d end up where I am now, but from the time I was a child, I wanted to become a chartered accountant and then one day become the chief financial officer of a company.”
Despite being at the helm of a bank in an industry characterized by an onslaught of fines, slowed market performance and litigation since the financial crisis, Van der Merwe, says: “I really love running a bank and although I develop women and men equally, I see competence, not gender.”
That has been the driving force of Van der Merwe’s leadership.
“For me, talent development and management in a bank [is fundamental]. A bank is made up of the people and we’re a service-orientated organization, so people are your most important assets,” she says.
“So for me the most rewarding element of my job is when I see someone really excelling at what they are doing and being able to promote them.”
Van de Merwe elaborates:  “&#8230; when I moved to Botswana, I had a really strong head of IT and in terms of her development, she put up her hand and showed her capability, she’s now my chief operating officer.”
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Leading a people-centered organization is central to another one of Barclays Bank Botswana’s passions carried through programs initiated by the government.
“The government is actively involved in developing entrepreneurship,” she says.
Another of the bank’s focal points is investing in cutting-edge technology that enhances efficiency levels across the business for the consumer.
“One of the government’s aims in Botswana is to bank the unbanked and we are firmly set on this path.”
Recently, the bank continued its digital journey which started with mobile banking followed by internet banking, and international money transfers, where customers can pay school fees or suppliers across the borders by launching a card-less cash deposit service which allows for real-time card-less cash deposits into its accounts by both customers and non-customers at any time and on their own.
And, despite Barclays PLC’s divestment in Barclays Africa, there are still many opportunities and resources for the bank to explore in this space.
Under Van der Merwe’s leadership, the bank has been named Botswana’s ‘Bank of the Year 2016’ by Acquisition International. She attributes some of the success to policies enabling ease of business drafted by the country’s leadership.
“The future of the bank is very exciting as we look to continue developing it as a pan-African bank,” says Van der Merwe.
“We are looking forward to a lot more creativity in making [Barclays Bank Botswana] Africa relevant. We can determine how we want to do business in Africa for Africans and if you look at the divestment which took place in June, it was oversubscribed, so clearly, the market has a lot of faith in the management of the group.
“There’s nothing that stops this group from expanding into the rest of Africa, Asia and even back into London as an African brand,” she laughs. &#8211; Written by Rofhiwa Madzena

The Only Woman In The Boardroom

Thobo Kerekang and Donald Nnoto, a dynamic duo from Botswana, believe that ‘whatever the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve’. They have proved this with their designer label KeNo Custom Suits.
Kerekang and Nnoto say image is everything and people are addressed according to how they look. The designers believe style should match ambition and for this reason they ensure their clients are dressed for success.
KeNo Custom Suits, a name derived from the entrepreneurs’ last names, started three years ago and its success has managed to surpass even their own expectations.
It started as a dream when Kerekang and Nnoto were childhood friends; it is now a reality and referred to as a promising label in the fashion industry.
They set up the business to address the shortcomings of other tailors, such as product quality, time management, service and delivery.
<blockquote>“Many times we were not satisfied with the kind of suits we used to find in shops, they somehow failed to make us stand out. So this drove us to take matters into our own hands,” he says.</blockquote>
KeNo custom designed suits are nothing like the ones sold in stores, says Nnoto.
“They are customized suits that totally bring a new twist to suave with stylish designs and materials. The trendy suits, whose stylish designs quickly enhance one’s image, are made from different materials,” he says.
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The suits scream style while also personifying ambition. Their clothing has caught on in Botswana.
The duo’s success is even more remarkable since neither had much experience in fashion design.  Kerekang and Nnoto yearn to be the best bespoke tailors in Africa.
“We wanted to change the way people look and appear because the respect one gets anywhere is based on their appearance. Another thing is that if you look good, you feel good, thus increased confidence,” says Kerekang.
Kerekang explains that style is an individual’s identity and thus differs from person to person.
“When a group of men stand together wearing suits, ours should be easily identifiable; the cut, fabric and design and we believe a good suit can brighten anyone’s mood and day,” he says.
They want to revolutionize the way people dress.
<blockquote>“Before you say anything  to anyone, your appearance has to say it all. It can either say good things or bad things, thus people need to be cautious when choosing their clothes,” says Kerekang.</blockquote>
KeNo offers suits for all occasions, but, whether their designs are formal or casual, they must create a lasting impression.
“We embody the desires of the client through involving them as part of the suit-making process to deliver a product that is not only good in appearance, but is also a part of them. It is not just the suit we sell, we sell the experience,” says Nnoto.
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Through perseverance, KeNo Custom Suits has continued to grow since its launch. But Kerekang and Nnoto are not going to wallow in their success; they aim to spread their brand to the rest of Africa.
KeNo Custom suits has connections across Africa and has recently partnered with businesses in Zambia.
“We are in the process of establishing more partnerships beyond our borders and growing the brand. Our plan is Africa, the world is next. We are here to create wealth but most importantly a legacy,” says Kerekang.
With demand high and many women feeling sidelined, the pair introduced a ladies line.
“We now cater for every individual that takes their appearance seriously and in the future we are going further than suits – shoes, shirts, watches even glasses,” says Kerekang.
The entrepreneurs’ determination is striking.
“We are inspired by many successful businessmen and women who have made it in life but come from humble beginnings,” they both say.
Soon, others could be inspired by them. &#8211; Written by Kgomotso Molelekeng

First Africa, Then The World

At independence in 1966, Botswana ranked as one of the 10 poorest countries in the world. Just over half a century later, with the help of a significant diamond endowment, the richest on the planet, government has managed to elevate the country from a low-income country to one with a mid-income per capita GDP, as it invested the proceeds of its minerals rent into physical and human capital, and into institutions.
The success of this responsible management is to be seen everywhere, as the World Bank elaborates,  “at independence, Botswana had six kilometers of paved roads, three secondary schools, too few healthcare facilities to mention, and a mere 1.5% of the population had completed primary schooling. Today, it has more than 7,000 kilometers of paved roads, more than 300 secondary schools and 95% of Botswanans live within eight kilometers of a healthcare facility, and primary school education is free.”
At a time when its southern neighbor has cold shivers running through its markets, in anticipation of whether or not rating agencies will downgrade the South African sovereign rating to a non-investment grade credit, Botswana has a ranking far from a junk credit. Its upper Investment grade is the highest in Africa.
Government acknowledges, however, that among the challenges it faces, a high HIV/Aids infection rate (the second highest in the World) slows growth. It recognizes it has to diversify the economy, away from an overdependence on mining – especially diamonds – to areas that can carry GDP growth forward. For this reason, it has rolled out the National Development Plan (NDP-11) into tourism, construction, energy and transport. In short, government has assessed that doing the same is not good enough, and to use the worn cliché, diamonds will not be forever.
It has not forgotten where the roots of its humble existence began, and has not forsaken the mining sector’s contribution to the growth in its output, for beneath its soil, lies some 200 billion tons of coal – an estimated two thirds of Africa’s total – a happy co-existence with the volcanic diamond treasures its fiscus holds so dear, and which government manages proceeds from in its public-private partnership venture with Debswana. With so much focus on mineral wealth, it is easy to forget where other areas of promoting economic growth exist. A good example is Botswana’s biodiversity of resources, such as the Okavango Delta, as well as the Kalahari and Chobe, which boost eco-friendly tourism uplift socio-economic conditions of rural communities.
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While the need to diversify the economy grows urgent, there is a frank acknowledgment that government cannot do this on its own. This land-locked country faces challenges from climate change, and has a critical shortage of water and electricity, which threaten any sustainable moves to diversify the economy. Also, government will not hesitate to engage the help of the private sector.
As controversial as the decision may have been to close loss-making copper and nickel mines, the government has indicated a strong resolve to protect its hard-earned fiscal integrity, making any adjustment it deems necessary which would shield the taxpayer, despite mine closures shedding jobs.
Another indication of this responsibility was the decision taken by the Botswana Power Corporation to shed its loss-making Morupule B power station. The drive to privatize the  state-owned enterprises theoretically embraces the concept of Public-Private Partnerships, structures considered to be generally successful.
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Although 4.3% GDP growth in 2016 may not be high by historical standards, it remains a solid base against which key financial stability ratios can be monitored by credit rating agencies. A surplus of 16% of GDP on the current account of the balance of payments, and an almost negligible budget deficit of -0.7% of GDP, appear to have underpinned the decisions by the rating agencies to maintain the upper investment grade ratings by S&amp;P (A-) and Moody’s (A2) last April.
If there is a conundrum that policymakers have to solve, it is not that GDP growth must be diversified, and that a stronger export base will drive growth in output sufficiently to alleviate poverty and income inequality, but rather that the success of economic diversification will be reflected in economic intangibles, such as better levels of education, better healthcare, better institutions to manage the rents derived during times when economic cycles are more volatile and in better regulating private enterprise. &#8211; Written by Colen Garrow

Tag: Botswana

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