Botswana

Gobonaone Modisane is the owner and director of Young Chefs Academy, Botswana. She has six years’ experience in teaching and managing day-to-day business activities including managing employees, curriculum, finances, and the growth of the business. Modisane graduated with a Bachelor of Special Education at the University of Botswana in 2008. She uses cooking as a… read more »

Rebaone Mmereki has worked in the legal arena nationally and internationally for over five years. Currently, he is an Assistant Protection Officer for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Botswana. He focuses on advocacy for the welfare of refugees and asylum seekers and ensures adherence by the government to its international obligations. He… read more »

Tshegofatso Susan Mmalane has over two years’ experience working with the refugee community. She currently works as an HIV/Aids prevention and care officer for the Botswana Red Cross Society in Dukwi Refugee Camp. Her duties include information dissemination, and raising awareness on HIV issues by organizing workshops and commemorative events. As an officer she supervises… read more »

Bakang Palai has over seven years’ experience in Real Estate Developments and Investments (retail, offices, student accommodation, and hotels). Currently, Bakang is the head of property developments at Khumo PAM, a subsidiary of Eris Property Group (SA) and BIFM (BW) where he focuses on projects’ feasibility and viability, securing finance for real estate deals, orchestrating… read more »

Unami is an activist with over four years’ experience in youth and gender advocacy and for the past 16 months has advocated for evidence-based solutions to address teenage pregnancy and HIV. Her charismatic leadership, reliability, and results orientation have allowed her to co-found an NGO called Young Love, for which she is now the Development… read more »

Sesame Samantha Marumo has been involved in the energy sector for over 5 years, researching on renewable energy technologies, particularly biofuels production and the use of solar radiation for electricity generation. Sesame currently works at the Department of Energy, working in the oil and gas section for fuel quality. To Sesame, energy is the key… read more »

Lee du Preez is a self-starter and born entrepreneur. A consultant in the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment space for a number of years, where he is MD of BEE Novation, he oversees the business growth and strategic direction and sits on a number of boards including the Pietermaritzburg Children’s Home, Business Fighting Crime, and Enactus… read more »

Kutlwelo Pokolo Mariri has nine years’ experience in speech-language pathology and audiology. Kutlwelo established the Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology at Princess Marina Hospital, one of the largest hospitals in Gaborone, Botswana, before venturing into private practice. She is passionate about improving the lives of special needs children, which is why she founded Ambrose… read more »

Kopo Mapila has over two years of experience as a Policy Analyst in the South African Ministry of Economic Development. His work focuses on job creation primarily through industrial and economic policies. Passionate about the continent’s development, Kopo has co-authored and presented a research paper on African industrialization and written in several journals including Africa… read more »

Tanyada Maluwa has over four years of experience in the business sector, specifically focusing on food-related businesses. Currently, Tanyada is the Managing Director and lead Facilitator of Within Nutrition. This organization formulates and implements workshops and programs to educate individuals and organizations on various aspects of nutrition, wellness, and food businesses. Tanyada volunteers her time… read more »

Gadzanani Kind Makopola is the CEO of a group of companies focused on government and private project finance, mining and construction. He started an information and communication technology company 16 years ago at the tender age of 19, while he was studying IT engineering. This computer engineer turned serial entrepreneur took a leap of faith… read more »

Tshepo Kefilwe Makete holds a bachelor’s degree in Dietetics from University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa. She has over eight years’ experience as a clinical dietitian at Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone, Botswana. She works as part of the multidisciplinary team, managing patients needing medical nutrition therapy. During her years of experience,… read more »

Dr. Mahilo Kevin Mahilo has nine years’ experience in oral health care and holds a Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago. Currently, he is founding director of the Smiles Dental Clinic, which provides modern oral health care services at a full-time clinic in Maun, weekly outreach… read more »

Tuduetso Madi is currently working as an administration officer for the Department of Curriculum Development and Evaluation Ministry of Education and Skills Development, and has been responsible for their many human resources and administrative functions since 2012. She was appointed Youth AIDS Focal person for the Month of Youth Against AIDS in 2015 and is… read more »

Tumiso Mabusel is a creative enthusiast and a firm believer in Ideas and the creative economy. He is the co-founder of Ideas Expo Botswana, a platform showcasing innovation within the marketing sector and designed to develop activities that will contribute to the creative industries and economy of Botswana. He believes that Africa and Africans need… read more »