Vol 66 April-June 2026 : Others

Walking at a measured pace, neither too fast nor too slow signaling her readiness to connect, she passes in front of the Kutlwano Magazine team then opens her spacious office.  

Smiling rather shyly, but genuinely, a wide smile that crinkled the corners of her eyes, signaling confidence and a welcoming, positive energy. 

“Good afternoon, is this my appointment,” is her words, with a voice clear and audible tone.  

The team of a features writer and a photographer smiles too caught her attention lifting the mood of the room as they enter the office, suggesting a successful and enthusiastic meeting in the offing. 

She sat at the octagon shaped mahogany table, with an air of quiet authority and smooth motions, owning her space and conveyed both openness and friendly alertness.

Professor Kgomotso Hildegard Moahi, 66 years old, is an expert, researcher, a professor and administrator with a long illustrious career of 40 years thereabout, within the higher education space. 

She is a seasoned academic, who has risen to academic ranks, a full first Motswana professor in the field of Library and Information Science, a woman who listens, empowers, a problem solver and a creative individual who surrounds herself with people who thrive in an environment of perseverance.

When she came to Botswana Open University (BOU) in 2020, she placed on the table ideas among them, to engender a culture typical of a university life style. 

The idea solely is for the university to be recognized as an institution of quality teaching and learning using distance education. 

More to what she perceives is for the institution to engage in meaningful research that has impact on society, ultimately leading to innovations and new products.

She likes to see BOU being a university of choice for everyone, with the opportunity to study while one is engaged somewhere else. 

Currently, the university offers opportunities to individuals who might have opportunities to progress for whatever reason. The management is therefore shaping BOU into an entity which is technology enhanced opened to Batswana and beyond.

Having worked at the University of Botswana (UB) for 35 years, Prof Moahi, is in her sixth year at BOU where she now serves as a Vice Chancellor. 

At UB, she served as the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Services and Deputy Vice Chancellor for Student Services.  

She also sits as a Board Member of the prestigious International Council of Distance Education (ICDE).

Within her leadership and management acumen, she affirms her commitment to diversifying and expanding disciplinary offerings and establishing a strong international presence at BOU.

She does this with management by maintaining the institution’s core values of equity, accessibility and relevance.

On the role BOU plays to push Botswana’s Economic Transformation Programme (BETP), she explains, they fit in the pillar of Social Economic Development. 

The pillar ensures that the transformation agenda is delivered effectively, promoting microeconomic stability and equitable growth, the message they are trying to drive home.  

“The mission of the project is to develop the infrastructure at all BOU campuses bringing them to the standard of serving stakeholders the entire country,” she explains.

Moahi perceives reliance on government funding as a challenge to the institution. 

As the economy is not doing well, government funding is not infinite; as such they have to become self-sustaining. 

“We do this through tuition and development of a commercial arm to generate what is called third stream income. In order to carry out this, we have set up a company/subsidiary called BOU Innovation LTD Pty Limited,” she said.

The university will therefore transfer its income generated as private entity within BOU, she confirms, noting the company is registered, operational and funds from the three spectrums will be used to develop materials and maintain the university. 

She also says BOU operates from the premise that people are the diamonds of this nation, and everyone has the potential to do great things if they are empowered. 

Prof Moahi was born in Springs in South Africa and raised in Lobatse. The mother of three (a daughter and twin sons) is married to Lucky Moahi. ENDS

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