30 Jun 2025

Botswana government commits to excellence through appointing on merit capable personnel to represent the country’s interests across the  world, President Advocate Duma Boko has said.

It was on this basis that President  Boko  described Ms Nthisana Motsete-Phillips who is due to serve as Botswana Ambassodor to Switzerland and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva and other international organisations, as  a patriotic and competent citizen capable of serving internationally. The President was speakin  during a courtesy call in Gaborone on Friday.

He said Ms Motsete-Phillips’ appointment  was in line with the principle of appointing public servants on merit and served as an example of note. 

"She was born here, raised here, studied here, went and served at the highest levels internationally and acquitted herself admirable,” said President Boko.

He said the Ambassador designate was loyal, ready and would serve with distinction.

“We are here to formally release one of our own, an immensely talented, patriotic and competent citizen, into international service" he added.

President Boko said Ambassador Motsete-Philips had risen through the ranks, served at the highest levels globally and earned nothing but praise. He said the  Geneva  mission  was  dynamic and evolving, therefore the country  had in Ms Motsete- Phillips a capable citizen who had earned her strides. President Boko therefore cited that the ambassador designate brought to this role an immense talent, capabilities, experience and expertise to serve the nation.

Ms Motsete-Phillips is a seasoned senior ranking professional with 30 years of experience in multilateral international organisations and the private sector with a proven track record of heading multidisciplinary departments in Europe (Switzerland, France and Belgium), Africa (Botswana and Ethiopia) and the United States of America (New York and Washington DC).

She served as an international civil servant at executive level and with diplomatic status leading multicultural staff in disciplines encompassing budget, finance, investment management, procurement, conference management, linguistic services, human resources, security, facilities management, administration and information technology.  Ambassador Motsete-Phillips succeeds Dr Athalia Molokomme, who recently concluded her tour of duty as Botswana’s ambassador to Geneva. ENDS