26 Jan 2022

It seems nothing can stand in Ms Thandie Malebang’s way as long as her sight is firmly set on what she is determined to achieve.

A woman of many hats, her journey into public life starts at the Botswana Police Service where she was employed as a law enforcement officer before fate thrust her into another vocation as a motivational speaker, life coach and a counsellor.

However, she was yet to discover that more was still in store for her. 

Never one to let any opportunity pass by, she has now ventured into beverages.  I catch up with the woman who just celebrated her 10^th anniversary behind the podium as a motivational speaker and what becomes patently clear from this encounter is that I have not seen the last of her.

Ms Malebang is without an ounce of doubt a trailblazer, social media influencer with a huge following and capping it all - a motivational speaker of note.

An astute go-getter, Ms Malebang’s new business venture is production of homemade ginger nectar. She is confident that her product will break even in the market because she says it is unique and offers several health benefits.

Ms Malebang says she ventured into the ginger nectar production business after realising the huge demand for the beverage during occasions such as weddings. 

Notwithstanding that the beverage is still awaiting Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS) bar code, it has been made available in big chain stores in Francistown and surrounding areas.

Incidentally, Ms Malebang does not lull herself into complacency; assuming that all will be smooth sailing or rosy .

She is quick to admit that running a business invariably demands undivided attention and focus.

In addition, she explains that she wants to expand her business and penetrate the international market, with initial exports going into the SADC market where she has discovered that there is a huge demand especially for corporate events and government institutions. The only downside though, is that production is still a bit too slow.

Has venturing into politics crossed her mind as well? Ms Malebang answers in the affirmative. 

“Yes I have desire to join politics in future given the level of influence I command,” she reckons albeit with her face betraying a tad of disinclination.

“Some people wanted me to stand for a council seat but I had to weigh my options between politics of the stomach and my business which is still at infancy stage,” she explains. 

Her influence also comes from the fact that she is a long-standing member of the Francistown Lions Club.

Nonetheless, Ms Malebang reckons that time will come when she will shift her attention towards politics because she believes she can add value too.

But for now she makes it clear that ‘I quit my job at the Botswana Police Service in 2016 because I realised that my businesses needed my focus in order to grow’.

She reveals that while still serving in the Botswana Police Service, she had already established several businesses that needed her full attention.

She recalls that when she informed her superiors of her imminent departure, initially they were reluctant to let her go but they soon realised there was nothing they could do because she was following her passion.

“It is not because anybody offended me. I decided to quit to follow my passion,” explains Ms Malebang.

She was already into deco and general supplies, cleaning services and laundry. Her company supplies a variety of merchandise from stationery, toiletry to equipment besides offering  security services.

Ms Malebang trades under the name Rohi Investment. Rohi is a Greek name which translates into ‘The Lord is my Shepherd’.

Apart from business, she holds a certificate in motivational speaking. 

“I speak because I am a licensed and certified motivational speaker of note,” she says with a smile.  

The motivational speaker that she is, her desire is to be counted among successful Batswana women besides helping her fellow citizens to reach their full potential in self-actualisation. 

However, Ms Malebang regrets the COVID-19 pandemic saying just like most businesses, hers was equally affected given that she was unable to conduct any motivational sessions owing to a moratorium placed on gatherings then. 

ENDS