10 Aug 2015

The president of Business Botswana, formerly BOCCIM Mr Lokwalo Mosienyane says it is important that people learn to embrace and appreciate positive change in their daily business activities and life.

Speaking at 2015 Business Golf Day Dinner at Avani Gaborone Hotel, Mr Mosienyane said change is a good thing when the change signals new mandate and newer methods of delivering the product.

He noted that just like Gaborone Sun Hotel and casino which has changed to Avani Gaborone hotel, they too at BOCCIM are also going through change.

He said the new corporate name Business Botswana signifies the organisation’s transformation into an Apex Body that is representative of all businesses in Botswana.

He told attendants that the business community and other stakeholders should therefore embrace the new name, noting that they are now working on the brand that will give them a fresh look.

The brand, he said, will resonate with the name and what they stand for. Meanwhile Mr Mosienyane said the need for this change was sparked by the Private Sector Development Strategy which was launched in 2008.

The strategy recommended that the then BOCCIM should spearhead its implementation. To do that BOCCIM should be restructured so that it is truly representative of the Botswana private sector.

He thanked the European Union (EU), CDE and the Botswana government for working together with them and providing funding to ensure that this part of the strategy is implemented.

The elated Mr Mosienyane said he was proud to announce that as from August this year, Business Botswana will take over the management of the Private Sector Development Programme (PSDP) financed by the EU at the tune of 23 million Euros.

Nonetheless he assured members and stakeholders that the change of the name does not in any way mean that they are moving away from their mandate.

He said they remain focused on their mandate of advocacy, representation and services to their members Meanwhile he said as part of their transition, they are launching new services to help Botswana enterprises meet the challenges presented by today’s competitive business environment.

Some of these which are either being launched this year or have recently being introduced include; The Chamber Trust Seal, PROWESS Training and the Private Business Growth Awards.

He explained that the Chamber Trust Seal is a world Chamber of Federation initiative that provides a traceable and local presence for a company through verification by relevant local, regional national Chamber of Commerce.

Speaking at the same event, Motor Vehicle Accident Fund ((MVA) General Manager (customer services) Mrs Mpule Ditirwa whose company has been sponsoring the event for the fifth time in a row, said the responsibility of road safety should be everybody’s.

She said companies should also have road safety lessons because their workers are also affected in road traffic accidents in one way or another. Mrs Ditirwa paid tribute to companies which continue to partner with them in their endeavour to raise road safety awareness and responsible living. ENDS