07 Mar 2016

The best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service and hard work as well as allowing the energy of the universe to lead you, so said a prominent American woman celebrity.

Such is the principle the most influential women in Botswana seem to live by and through it made big impact in the society; they have become a force to reckon with.

It is against this backdrop that to commemorate the United Nations International Women’s Day, together with the public service, Batswana women in influential positions in the public sector and parastatals were yesterday expected to hold Executive Leadership Breakfast Seminar to share their experiences in their respective leadership roles.

Thus, deputy director of media relations at the Office of the President, Ms Osesenaqa Lekgoko said the Executive Leadership Breakfast Forum for Women in the Public Service and Parastatals would be facilitated by women leaders in Minister of Health, Ms Dorcas Makgato, Ombudsman, Ms Festinah Bakwena, Department of Public Service Management director, Ms Ruth Maphorisa, National Development Bank director, Ms Lorato Morapedi, Headway Consultancy managing director, Ms Tsetsele Fantan as well as Maun district commissioner, Ms Chabongwa Matseka.

“These are women who have done something of significance and contributed immensely to the shape of the public service,” said Ms Lekgoko.

She said the event, which is also held as part of the celebrations of Botswana’s 50 years of Independence, will give the speakers an opportunity to share their experiences and in the process empower women to dare to break the glass ceiling and transcend gender stereotypes. 

She added that the women folk would have an opportunity to interact through panel discussions.

Further, Ms Lekgoko said women pioneers of the public service such as Ms Bakwena, who started work in the public service in 1973 and was one of the few women who has been at the helm of various ministries at permanent secretary level, including in the Office of the President, ministry of education as well as the Directorate of Public Service Management, among others, brought to the seminar her wealth of experience as a committed civil servant.

On the choice of Ms Makgato as key speaker, Ms Lekgoko said the minister brings a trail blazer attitude to the seminar, which will inspire other women. 

Ms Makgato is also said to have had a successful track record in the private sector besides holding high profile political portfolios such as that of being the Minister of Trade and Industry, among many others.

Ms Lekgoko further said other speakers will give the seminar a human resource perspective, “Mrs Fantan is a human resource professional responsible for providing leadership and strategic direction on various Human Resources programmes: a career path she has followed for over 25 years. 

She has worked for Debswana Mining Company between 1978 and 2003, which employment served as a green light for further training and opportunities,” she said.

Another woman of repute is Ms Matseka, whom Ms Lekgoko said comes across as a rising star in the Botswana Public Service. 

She has worked for the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development for 13 years, part of which tenure she served as an assistant district officer in various regions of Botswana. 

Ms Matseka continued to rise through the ranks and holds many other portfolios.

Also making the list is Ms Morapedi, who is a qualified economist and is among women leaders who have made a lot of impact in influencing change in the entrepreneurship landscape in Botswana, making improvement to the quality of lives of the people and the development of business in Botswana. ENDS