BDC, SKMF host inclusivity discussion

Botswana Development Corporation (BDC) recently partnered with the Sir Ketumile Masire Foundation (SKMF) to host stakeholders from a variety of local sectors including the financial, communications, philanthropic and the arts, to share experiences and pertinent views on ways to bridge the gap between culture and metropolitanism in Botswana. Overlooking the capital city from The Tower at the Fairscape Precinct, the business breakfast was hosted in commemoration of International Women’s Day.

“It was our pleasure to partner with SKMF to host this engagement as supporting platforms that discuss pressing developmental issues is a key component of our Corporation strategy. Matters of women empowerment and greater inclusion in leadership arenas are important to address since they benefit our whole community. With a greater balance of opportunities available between men and women, we can achieve stronger progress with our national development goals as more minds take part in decision-making across country sectors,” said BDC Acting Managing Director, Moatlhodi Lekaukau.

He continued, “Botswana has made considerable strides in its history as a middle-income economy. Such milestones achieved include the evidence of women joining leadership platforms across a variety of public and private areas. It is vital, however, that as a nation we do not overlook the remaining challenges still requiring action to see more women play leading roles in more sectors across the socioeconomy.”

The processions of the day included a panel discussion led by the SKMF Chief Executive, Matshidiso Masire under the theme Balance for Better, which was followed by an interactive Question and Answer session.

Panelists of the discussion comprised Leungo Lulu Rasebotsa – Managing Director, Liberty Life Botswana,
Desmond Lunga – Founder, Men and Boys for Gender Equality, Sarah B Mulwa – Founder & President, Now For Them Trust and;
Game “Zeus” Bantsi – Founder, Do It Yourself Entertainment.

The breakfast talk came off the back of a long-standing relationship between BDC and SKMF. In line with its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy, BDC has supported a number of SKMF initiatives including providing mentoring and sponsorship support at Strategy Planning Workshops and annual fundraising activities. BDC’s CSR strategy entails partnering with organisations, programmes and platforms mandated to empower key demographics in need of strategic support, that including women, people living with disabilities, youth and orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs), to encourage the further participation of these groups in the Botswana economy.

“I would like to thank SKMF for their great efforts especially with creating opportunities for youth and other communities to realise their worth and take part in contributing towards Botswana’s next chapter of success.
I commend Ms. Masire and her team for their passion and tireless commitment to this vehicle and we look forward to deepening our relationship ties with SKMF in future activities,” said Lekaukau.