06 Jun 2021

Different speakers eulogised the former Bank of Botswana governor and University of Botswana (UB) chancellor, Ms Linah Mohohlo for her prolific, distinguished and fervent personality.

Speaking at the memorial service on Friday, UB vice chancellor, Professor David Norris said Ms Mohohlo brought special talent and great energy to the university, as she was the chancellor, a hat that required one to preside at the convocation ceremony and confer all degrees and diplomas.

He said Ms Mohohlo was a great leader and had traits that exemplified a true leader. He said she was a strong communicator, had a vision and problem-solving skills accompanied by a passion in everything that she did.

Professor Norris said it was unfortunate that she left at a time when UB was at a critical stage of transforming into an epicentre of Botswana’s developmental efforts.

The UB Foundation board chairperson, Mr Satar Dada said his relationship with Ms Mohohlo dated back to the late 1970’s when they were colleagues at Motor-Centre.

“We worked together until she left the organisation to join the government, and we continued to work together in different platforms, and our professional relationship remained strong until her demise,” he said.

Mr Dada said Ms Mohohlo was the founding trustee, adding that over the years she had contributed tremendously to the strategic development and achievement of the foundation goals and its mandate.

The mandate, she said, entailed sourcing and raising funds that saw the establishment of the UB Foundation and government funding, which had sponsored 242 students at a Master’s Degree level.

He said her critical role in the UB Foundation was key in the establishment of the Northern Trust Bank of Botswana scholarship fund.

Further, Mr Dada said in 2011 and as part of an ongoing community development initiative, the then Bank of Botswana governor approached Northern Trust to consider sponsoring Batswana students for their Master’s Degree programme at UB.

Bank of Botswana governor, Mr Moses Pelaelo said Ms Mohohlo was a homegrown central banker who made a sterling contribution in various roles and ways to the development of the bank.

He said she also inculcated a culture of discipline, hard work and excellence, hence the banks reputation and its stature.

Mr Pelaelo said Ms Mohohlo was a professional who served the bank for which she was one of the founding architects with distinction. Ms Mohohlo was appointed Chancellor in 2018, making her the first woman to hold the position and its fifth Chancellor since its establishment in 1982.

 She had a firm and grounded understanding of the university that she served in various capacities over the years, notably the UB Foundation, where she served as the deputy chairperson of the Board of Trustees. Ends