The late First National Bank Botswana (FNBB) Chief Economist Moatlhodi Sebabole, passed on while waiting on Cabinet to approve his appointment as Botswana Tourism Organization (BTO) Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Sunday Standard can reveal that the recently dissolved BTO Board of Directors had recommended him to government for consideration as BTO substantive CEO.
His ultimate appointment was however stalled by the country long red tape for more than a quarter of a year, until he passed on.
Sebabole who in 2019 was appointed by President Mokgweetsi Masisi to lead the National Transformation Strategy Team had applied for the BTO top post, gone through the interview processes and emerged the front runner .
It is not clear if the board will recommend Moatlhodi’s runner up (known to this publication) as the next BTO boss.
The hunt for the BTO CEO happens at a time when the country’s tourism sector is reeling from the fallout of the COVID 19 pandemic. The sector suffered a major shock in 2020 as a result of travel restrictions in both domestic and international tourism.
The post of BTO Chief executive Officer became vacant after the departure of Myra Sekgororoane a couple of years back .
The Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Phildah Kereng recently dissolved the BTO board and appointed a new one, but retained Boitumelo Sekwababe as Chairman.
When contacted on Friday, Minister Kereng said the board she recently appointed was handing the recruitment process for the BTO top post.
“I cannot give you the time frame it will take to identify the substantive CEO as it is a long process which the board is handling,” said Kereng.
