Botswana\'s budding flowers
Source : Kutlwano
Author : Ndingililo Gaoswediwe
Location : Gaborone
Event : Profile
Come Sunday September 29 when the clock strikes 00:00 and a new day beckons, Botswana will wake up to a new dawn! Yes, yet another new dawn; celebrating 47 years of self-rule. Yet again, Kutlwano joins Batswana to celebrate outstanding 10 young persons who have made an impact in their careers. With a wonderful vision in their minds, the work they have done and their continuous service, keep generations inspired.
Yobe Shonga
He has become an icon in photojournalism since he cut his teeth in the industry some two decades ago. Because he takes time to conceptualise his pictures, Shongas` work is always outstanding.He covered former President, Sir Ketumile Masire, worked closely with former President, Festus Mogae and still covers President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama locally and abroad. He has had and still has a strong personal relation with the presidents hence fits the “the presidents` lens man.” sobriquet. He has travelled the world - Europe, America, Asia and almost all African countries - in his exciting photojournalism career. In 1998, during President Bill Clinton`s State Visit to Botswana, Shonga represented the country as the State House official photographer.
With a sharp eye for news photographs, the country`s multi-award winning Shonga keeps garnering more. Last month, he retained his title by winning, for the second time running, the SADC Photojournalist of the Year Award at the 33rd SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government in Malawi.
Prior to the SADC award, the humble Shonga won a Minister`s award in the State President ministry and later the Public Service Award.
In 2003 and 2004 Yobe won MISA Photojournalist of the year awards and The Joint Overall Journalist of the year award. Still in 2004, he also won the Minister`s award for being the best performer. In 2005 he went to study photography at Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria, South Africa and received best student awards in 2005, 2006 and 2007. In 2008 he obtained his degree, passed with a distinction. During his varsity years, his work was featured in South Africa`s Vivid magazine and Beeld, an Afrikaans newspaper. In 2009 his work was featured in PIX magazine, Africa`s leading photography magazine.
To him photography is not just a career, but an obsession; the desire to create and do something inspiring and worth remembering. “I live photography, to me, it is a way of life.”
Mercy Rebaone Thebe
She is the Regional Director; Corporate, Industry & Media Relations for Limkokwing Botswana, Lesotho & Swaziland.
A vibrantly driven and focused, hardworking young Motswana, Thebe is a proud product of this country`s government school system.
Her journey with Limkokwing University started in 2001 when she enrolled to study Mass Communication with Limkokwing University in Malaysia and 2013 marks her 13th year with Limkokwing University, both as a student and an employee.
She is one of the pioneering staff of Limkokwing in Botswana at Fairgrounds mall back in 2007.
Starting as a lecturer in the Faculty of Communications and Media, Thebe progressed to Principal Lecturer, Year Leader, Member of the Faculty Management Group, Public Relations and Events Manager, Regional Associate Director: Corporate and Public Relations and currently Regional Director; Corporate, Industry & Media Relations.
She joined the public relations unit when Limkokwing University was experiencing a lot of negative publicity from the media.
In four years, she managed to build a positive brand perception about the university.
Her biggest achievement to date is the regional and influential role she plays which is aimed at changing the youths mindsets to go beyond employability and inspire them to focus more on ground breaking capability and industry leadership as a custodian of the Limkokwing brand in Lesotho, Botswana & Swaziland.
Dr Figar Pheto
She has been successfully operating Agape Dental clinic since 2006 and has employed five people. Immediately after completing her Doctor of Dental Surgey studies in 2003, Dr Pheto came back to Botswana. She worked at Princess Marina Hospital as a general dentist for three years.
Still an employee at Princess Marina Hospital, she learnt that one of the first dentists to run private clinics in Gaborone was preparing to relocate back to his country of origin and was looking for someone to take over.
Hitting a snag several times with commercial banks, patience and persistence earned her a deal with one of the banks and her dream came true. She resigned and took over the dental clinic which she later branded Agape-the unconditional love of God.
From Serowe, Dr Pheto did Pre Entry Science Course and later Bachelor of Sciences (two years). She got government scholarship to transfer to the USA to study Dentistry. She enrolled at Creighton University in Nebraska, USA to complete her Bachelor of Science with biology as a major and chemistry as a minor. Upon completion, she proceeded with the same university under the school of dentistry where she studied Doctor of Dental Surgery.
Despite her busy schedule as a wife, mother and private dentist, Dr Pheto also does part time as Sedibeng programme presenter on Btv since 2010.
Kagiso Morebodi
Morebodi is an accountant who ditched his profession to save the lives of the youth. Passionate about youth issues, he is the founder and executive director of Remmogo Organisation.
Remmogo is a movement, a Non-Governmental Organisation that addresses issues of road safety, alcohol and drug abuse. This is done through behavioural change programmes focusing on awareness and sensitisation of the public.
Sitting in a number of other company executive boards, the humble Morebodi intends to play his role of a responsible citizen by curbing social ills which he believes suck a lot from government coffers.
Currently, Remmogo boasts four major projects - Remmogo All Stars music projects, Monana4life radio youth talk show on RB2, Kgweetsa ka Kelotlhoko Alcohol and Road Safety Campaigns and the annual Road Safety Fair. Three-year-old Remmogo Organisation has already collected a Vision 2016 Award for the safe and secure nation pillar and the Junior Chambers International Award.
Living his motto… “Hard work pays…Let`s turn the Impossible into I`m possible,” indeed he continues to change and inspire generations through different means to send the message.
Mbakiso Mboki Chilisa
Mboki Chilisa runs Collins Chilisa Consultants after taking over from former High Court judge Peter Collins last year June. He joined Peter Collins in 2008 as an associate and by then it was called Collins Legal Consultants.
Born 32 years ago, Chilisa gained fame through his involvement in most of the major collective labour law disputes that have come before courts most which were management–union disputes.
In First National Bank Botswana Limited v. BOBEU, probably the leading authority on the duty to bargain in good faith during collective bargaining, Chilisa successfully helped the bank to establish that there was nothing wrong with the Bank paying non-unionised employees who qualified for union membership whilst negotiations were still pending with the union. In Standard Chartered Bank Botswana Limited v. SCBMU, he successfully established that the Bank was not obliged to recognise a management union if it did not represent one-third of the total work force including those who were ineligible for membership to management union.
Recently, Chilisa successfully represented the public sector unions in a dispute concerning amendments made the minister made to the Trade Disputes Act, which had the effect of making teachers, veterinary service workers, all transport workers and other categories of employees essential services.
Although he was on the losing side in the recent contentious strike cases, Chilisa had the pleasure of working with Advocate Wim Trengove SC who is today regarded as one of South Africa`s top lawyers. Currently, he is involved in a Court of Appeal matter where he seeks to establish that a worker has a right to a hearing prior to a pre-disciplinary suspension.
During his tertiary days, Chilisa did some human rights work and successfully argued that being HIV positive or refusing to undergo an HIV/AIDS as a precondition for continued employment was not valid basis for terminating employment contracts. He graduated joint-top class with an LLB Degree from the University of Botswana.
Lillian Moremi
Current manager (Botswana and Zambia) of Ducere Foundation and the first Motswana and indeed a woman to set foot in Antarctica on a “Leadership on the edge” expedition. Aged 28, she is passionate about education and youth development.
Armed with an accounting certificate from University of Cape Town, South Africa, Moremi runs the school improvement programme and peace centre initiatives (advocacy, debating, reading and anti-bullying) for primary school students in underprivileged communities around the country. She works with key stakeholders including the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, regional educational directors, local councils, school heads, parents and teachers associations, teachers and mentors.
She is also the founder of Botswana Student Network Society. Also, she works closely with the educational partners including the education ministry and private sector to disseminate information and opportunities to students in secondary schools and tertiary to better prepare them for the corporate and business world.
Moremi is a committee member of BOCCIM Youth In Business, Southern African Young Women`s Network by Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa, Junior Chamber International Gaborone Chapter.
She is also a career development specialist at Career Coaching (Pty) Ltd, offering career mentorship to the youth such as career advice, job readiness skills, professional online presence, building and managing an effective networking plan and understanding and presenting one`s authentic personal brand. Moremi also writes a carrier development column for Kutlwano.
Masego Ramakgathi
He is one of the youngest Batswana to occupy the post of Press Secretary in the Office of the President. In this new role, he develops, execute and coordinates strategies and initiatives on media and public affairs, global partnerships and advocacy issues within the office of the coordinator of the poverty eradication programme. Prior to that, Ramakgathi served as press secretary to the president, where he was specifically tasked with management of communications strategy and diplomacy issues within the president`s private office.
He has also served as private secretary to the vice president where he was responsible for driving and facilitating key strategies and initiatives as well as coordinating government/Industry liaisons, media relations, rural development issues and economic diversification drive.
Before his redeployment to the highest office in the country, he worked as a specialist in Asian Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. During his stint in diplomatic service, he served as a consular officer, desk officer (Africa, MidEast, Asia and the Pacific) and public and media relations official within the ministry. Having served as Botswana`s commercial diplomat in India, the youthful lad established and sustained contacts with potential and established investors, including key global economic players.
He boasts experience in diplomacy, negotiations, international trade, public policy analysis, public affairs and consular matters, which are integral to his career as a career diplomat and press secretary within the presidency. Ramakgathi read social sciences at the University of Botswana and has also pursued diplomatic training and studies in international business.
All Kasi- Ludo Kemoen and Barnes Maplanka
All Kasi is an indigenous clothing brand that has stood the test of time. The brand hit the streets 13 years ago as the brainchild of former UB students, Barnes Maplanka and Ludo Kemoen.
During the trial stage, they only manufactured T-shirts until the duo secured funds from CEDA in 2003 to set a production house in Lobatse. By then, the brand was popular among the youth until 2008 when Maplanka and Barnes broadened horizons, venturing into sportswear.
That is when the duo struck a lucrative deal with Botswana Football Association to partner with the national team as the technical sponsor. Apart from the national team, All Kasi also dressed local football clubs such as BDF XI and has recently launched a two year sponsorship with Peleng side, Extension Gunners.
The brand today boasts a range of garmets including fashion denims. The two lads have not only focused on self-benefit rather extended a hand to participate in corporate social responsibility work. Such activities include sponsoring projects and supporting local artists.
Ofentse Bakwadi
He is current Botswana National Sports Council sportsman of the year. The 28-year old Capricorn Karateka started amassing medals since 2007. Bakwadi is the 2013 Gaborone Open Kata Champion, 2013 BOKA Kata Champion; last year he was crowned Africa FASU Kata Champion and 2012 Africa Kumite silver medalist.
Still last year, Bakwadi emerged the gold medalist of Zone 6 kata and kumite championships, fifth place in kumite 2012 USA open, All Africa games silver medalist in Kata and Commonwealth silver medalist kumite in 2011.
As the youngest Yondan in the country, Bakwadi continues to work hard to inspire and demonstrate to other young karatekas that no goal is unattainable.
Bakwadi studied at Botswana Accountancy College completing his AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) in June 2010. He is now pursuing CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants). He is also a final year student at the University of Botswana studying for a degree in Physical Education.
Rejoyce Jojo Gaonakala
Better known by her stage name, Jojo, Gaonakala pursued her career in traditional music two years back after working as a backing vocalist for Shumba Ratshega and a dancer for Alfredo Moss. Her album titled Mpatiseng enjoyed air play regionally, thus easily penetrating the hard to crack industry.
Jojo`s Mpatiseng was her passport to stardom, performing in neighbouring South Africa, Lesotho, Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe. For the first time ever, her album was voted album of the week at a South African radio station, Motsweding FM.
Apart from working with some prominent Batswana artists, Jojo is the ambassador of an annual event, Cultural Experience, held in Mafikeng and she participated in many activities and featured in programmes such as SABC1 (The Roots) programme, Lesotho VIP concert, Lesotho Cultural Exchange, Month of Women Gospel Festival (South Africa), Culture Heritage (South Africa), Musical Exchange (Namibia), toured all nine provinces of South Africa and charmed guests at Zimbabwean`s President Robert Mugabe`s gala dinner.
Jojo, who has become a regular performer during different events, is also involved in charity events.
To cite, but a few, the 24-year-old Mmadinare lass is the current face of Malawians local society charity projects, raised funds to secure blankets for the less privileged in her home village and raised funds for Serowe SOS project for 2010 independence celebrations
