BY KABELO SEITSHIRO
The Botswana Tourism Organization (BTO) which was paralyzed without a board of directors for years seems to be coming alive. The government has since appointed a functional board of directors of the organization led by Boitumelo Sekwababe.
Sekwababe is taking over from Lawrence Khupe who was appointed by the former Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism Tshekedi Khama.
The new Chairman Sekwababe and the board are now responsible for providing guidance and direction and support at policy and strategic levels as necessary for management to discharge its duties as stipulated in the BTO Act.
Previously the former CEOs have found themselves unable to undertake decisions which have to be approved by the board first and BTO is tasked with planning, developing and implementing tourism marketing and promotion strategies for Botswana.
The reconstitution and appointment of the BTO board of directors now consists of Prof Joseph Mbaiwa, Meshaack Moeti, Kodise Selotlegeng, Winfed Mpai, Marcia Makgalemele, Montle Siya, Thabo Thamane and Major general Otisitswe Tiroyamodimo(Rtd), each for a period of three years with effective 1st April 2019 to 31st march 2022.
Information also reaching this publication is that the BTO legal counsel and board secretary Zibanani Hubona who was the BTO acting CEO for some time has left the organization as his employment contract came to end and was not renewed.
When contacted, Minister Mokaila indicated that he was in Zimbabwe and stated that he cannot comment on the matter as he is out the office for sometime. He stated that if there are changes they will be announced through official processes and procedures.
Recently the former Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism Kitso Mokaila brought the former BTO CEO Myra Sekgororane to stabilize the organization which has been making headlines for the wrong reasons.
“I am on an assignment in Zimbabwe Vic falls and the following day am leaving for Qatar, so I am not fully in touch with my office temporarily,” said Mokaila.
Section 7 (1) of the BTO Act says that a member other than the Chairman shall hold office for a period not exceeding three years and shall be eligible for re-appointment for a further term of three years, while the Chairman of the Board shall hold office for a period not exceeding five years, eligible for reappointment at the end thereof.
