The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dorcas Makgato-Malesu, says she is optimistic that the recommended candidate for the post of Chief Executive Officer of newly established investment entity, the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC), is the right expert for the job.
Makgato-Malesu told Sunday Standard that the BITC Board of Directors is made up of expertise that has been with both merging entities, the Botswana International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) and Botswana Export Development and Investment Authority (BEDIA). They were restructured beginning of April 1st this year and offered as one entity.
“Placing workers in the company structure is still an ongoing process and no one has been placed yet,” she said.
She highlighted that the board vice chairperson, Ethel Matenge-Sebesho, has also been with BEDIA and in the private sector where she acquired experience and knowledge during her time in the Board of Directors of the Botswana Housing Corporation and Air Botswana. “She is well versed with the South African market and her stay at First Rand.”
The Minister highlighted that Wilhemina Makwinja, who is a seasoned human resources practitioner, is also part of the board who is also Care-Taker of BITC.
Currently, Makato-Malesu has the name of the candidate who has been recommended by the Board of Directors and is in consultation with the Cabinet.
She said that the BITC CEO will be required to create shareholder value through positioning Botswana as the investor destination of choice by developing frameworks that encourage expansion of existing businesses, promoting new investments, including identification of business partners in and outside Botswana for joint ventures; promoting foreign direct investment as well as marketing of the BITC within and outside Botswana. She said the candidate will also be expected to create an enabling high performance culture by planning and managing the performance of the BITC and employees to ensure the achievements of both short and long term strategic goals.
“This post was openly advertised externally in order to have a bigger pool to fish from and not to limit ourselves when looking for someone qualifying for the post,” she said.
Industry sources say that former Botswana Insurance Holdings Limited (BIHL) Group CEO Regina Vaka-Sikalesele is amongst shortlisted applicants for the top post. Other names mentioned for interviews include former IFSC acting CEO, Letsebe Sejoe, and BEDIA CEO, Lamarck Nthekela.
“It is our wish to have the position filled as soon as possible to assist in enabling a smooth transition and we are targeting the month of July,” she explained.
Victor Senye, Banny Molosiwa (the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry), Esther Kanaimba-Senai, Terence Dambe, Ellen Richard Madisa and Christopher Garland are the task force behind BITC.
