The call for African entrepreneurs to corporatize their businesses and explore alternative funding models is gaining new urgency amid economic pressures and shifting financial landscapes. At a recent panel discussion organized by the First National Bank of Botswana (FNBB) on Africa Day, Godiraone Des Olatotse, Managing Director of Sky Bridge Logistics, delivered a pointed message to local business leaders: the time has come to transition from traditional, often informal business structures to corporatized entities. This...

The hum of trucks on Southern Africa’s highways is more than just background noise; it’s the pulse of an economy on the rise. In the sprawling landscape of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, where countries from South Africa to Botswana, Namibia, and beyond are knitting their economies closer together, road haulage is taking on a new level of importance. The future of trucking here isn’t just about moving goods — it’s about connecting...

He is the epitome of homegrown entrepreneur His Group of companies currently employs 106 The story of Mr. Godiraone Des Olatotse is not just a tale of personal ambition but a vivid illustration of Botswana’s evolving economic landscape. From humble beginnings as a finance graduate of the University of Botswana’s inaugural batch in 2006 to a pioneering entrepreneur shaping multiple industries, Olatotse’s trajectory embodies the opportunities and challenges that come with forging success in a...

In a move signaling a significant shift in the logistics landscape, Sky Bridge Logistics, a leading bulk fuel transporter based in Botswana, is placing a substantial bet on artificial intelligence (AI) to drive efficiency, enhance safety, and secure its position as a market leader. The company’s chairman, Mr. Leutlwetse Tumelo, recently articulated a vision where technology, particularly AI, forms the bedrock of their operations, maximizing effectiveness across various facets of the business. This strategic pivot...

Of “selective amnesia” and doctors dilemma as healthcare standoff grips Botswana In a war of words that lays bare a deeper crisis within Botswana’s healthcare system, the Botswana Doctors Union (BDU) has vehemently denied government claims of a doctor’s strike, dismissing the official statement as the product of “selective amnesia.” The accusation, laden with irony and frustration, underscores the widening gulf between the nation’s physicians and the government they accuse of neglecting their concerns. The...

Pope Francis, the Argentinian pontiff who championed the poor, challenged the status quo, and sought to modernize the Catholic Church while facing fierce internal resistance, has died. He was 88 years old. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, announced the death on Monday morning from the Vatican. “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis, passed away at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta,” Cardinal Farrell said. The news reverberated around...

Justin Hunyepa transferred to Ministry of Basic Education and Child Welfare In a sweeping move that underscores a commitment to enhancing the well-being and education of the nation’s children, President Duma Boko announced a twist in his cabinet. This strategic reorganization includes the creation of a new role: the Assistant Minister for Child Welfare and Basic Education. The announcement was made during his address at the Botswana Examination Council’s 15th Annual Excellence Awards, a fitting...

Member of Parliament for Lobatse, Kamal Jacobs, has retracted explosive allegations he made last week against President Duma Boko. Initially, Jacobs claimed that Boko and his bodyguard had sent him life-threatening text messages, an assertion that shook the political landscape and raised questions about safety and governance within the country. Jacobs, who had first voiced these concerns on the floor of Parliament, has now requested that his statement be expunged from The Hansard, the official...

In an interesting twist that has captured the attention of regional power dynamics, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) President Félix Tshisekedi chose to attend the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and East African Community (EAC) summit virtually, setting off a flurry of speculation and debate. Held in Tanzania, the summit was a high-stakes gathering aimed at addressing the escalating conflict in the eastern DRC—a region rich in minerals but plagued by violence perpetrated by...