The Botswana Confederation of Commerce and Industry (BOCCIM) has elected Alex Monchusi as its new president at the business confederation’s annual general meeting.
Monchusi, an engineer and local businessman, takes over from Modiri Mbaakanyi who had held the BOCCIM presidency for four years.
The polling saw Monchusi get 127 votes, putting him ahead of the confederation’s former vice president and one-time Barclays Bank of Botswana managing director, Thuli Johnson, who got 71 votes.
Monchusi has over time given a considerable amount of his time to participation in forums advocating for the enhancing of the business environment for the private sector in the country.
He has also before been appointed to the BOCCIM task team in the confederation’s efforts to mediate between government and the trade unions in the recent labour dispute and nationwide strike.
Speaking at the AGM following his election, Monthusi accepted that he will be the premier voice for the business community. He expressed delight that he will be working with a team of knowledgeable and experienced businessmen and women who represented various sectors of the industry in the BOCCIM council.
“I am ready to provide leadership contributions in the private sector and also citizen empowerment in our country,” said Monchusi.
Outgoing president, Modiri Mbaakanyi, pledged his support to his successor and said he would continue to serve BOCCIM in a different capacity. He said BOCCIM should continue to represent its members’ interests in the various initiatives to ensure policies, regulation and programs that support business.
Educationist Daisy Molefhi was elected to the vice presidency, defeating Emang Maphanyane and Jubilee Mokgosi.
Molefhi’s leadership and business acumen stretches over a period of 26 years in manufacturing and 22 years in business education. She is the founder of the 22-year-old business development institution of higher learning, ABM University College, formerly the Academy of Business Management.
“My active participation in the education sector is in line with both my conviction and the private sector development strategy, that key to economic development is human resource development,” said Molefhi.
Monchusi becomes the ninth president of the confederation that now has 18 sectors council members.
Other members include Mpho Balopi, Solomon Monyame, Matshidiso Handston, Boitumelo Sekwababe, Orefitlhetse Masire, and Gobusamang Keebine.
Butler Phirie continues as treasurer while Granny Sesupeng was retained as vice president for the Northern region.
