Meet the Ambassadors and Patrons
The people who open the doors
In each country where Bolden opens, starting with Botswana, Founding Industry Ambassadors lead the twenty Priority Sector Councils, with further portfolios where a country's economy needs them. They are chosen for their credibility, judgement and the trust of their peers, and they help Bolden find the members who belong. Each is interviewed after joining; their profiles appear here first and then in their country's Founding Edition.
Botswana
Founding Industry Ambassadors
18 ambassadors · 3 councils to be announced
01Finance, Banking, Insurance and Investment
Thabo Moipolai
Investment, Pensions and Capital
Managing Director, Vunani Fund Managers Botswana
01Finance, Banking, Insurance and Investment
Keletso Setimela
Banking, Enterprise and Business Finance
Business Banking Director, Absa Bank Botswana
02Mining, Minerals and Beneficiation
Ian Modubule
Diamonds, Mining Finance and Strategic Industry
Chief Financial Officer, Debswana Diamond Company
03Energy, Power and Utilities
Eunice Mpoloka
Mining, Energy and Industrial Services
Managing Director, Pick ’N Shovel Mining Services; Chairperson, Hoisting Solutions
04Technology, AI and Digital Infrastructure
Ogone Mothooagae
Technology, the Digital Economy and Innovation
Founder, Stencil Technologies; Independent Non-Executive Director, Access Bank Botswana
05Healthcare and Life Sciences
Dr Thabang Dima
Health, Care and Healthcare Innovation
Co-founder, Atlega Healthcare
06Agriculture and Food Systems
Boiki Tema
Agriculture, Agricultural Finance and Organised Agribusiness
Chairperson, Access Bank Botswana
07Property, Construction and Infrastructure
Thandeka Palai
Property, Construction and Infrastructure
President, Architects Association of Botswana; Founder and Director, Lebone Architects
08Tourism, Hospitality, Meetings and Events
Dichaba Molobe
Tourism, Hospitality and Conservation
Policy Advocacy and Membership Manager, Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana
09Manufacturing and Industrial Development
Moshie Ratsebe
International Business, Investment and Market Access
Director of Investment Promotion, Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC)
10Transport, Logistics and Trade
Neo Gaborone
Transport, Logistics and Supply Chains
11Automotive, Aviation and Mobility
To be announced
12Retail, Consumer Goods and Commerce
Mothusi Molokomme
Retail, FMCG and the Consumer Economy
13Education, Skills and Talent Development
Matlhogonolo Mponang
People, Leadership and Talent
Chief People Officer, Debswana Diamond Company
14Professional, Legal, Governance and Advisory Services
Boitshepiso Balemetse
Law, Legal Services and Corporate Advisory
Co-founder, Balemetse & Ncube Law Firm
15Media, Communications and the Creative Economy
Oteng Majuta
Media, Communications, Reputation and Creative Services
Communications and Marketing, RedPepper PRC
16Sustainability, Climate, Water and the Environment
To be announced
17Government, Diplomacy and Public Institutions
Wame Deschambenoit
Diplomacy and International Affairs
18Entrepreneurship, SMEs and Enterprise Development
Goitsemang Khutsafalo
Entrepreneurship, Emerging Business and Network Development
Founder and Chief Executive, Launchit International
19Sport, Fitness and Recreation
Tebogo Lebotse-Sebego
Sport, Performance and the Sports Economy
Vice-Chairperson, Botswana National Sport Commission
20Social Impact, Philanthropy and Development
To be announced
Bolden
Cross-Border Patrons
Celebrated leaders of exceptional stature whose influence spans borders and sectors, lending their personal endorsement and lasting credibility to the entire ecosystem.
6 of 6 announced
Cross-Border Patron · Botswana
Thapelo Letsholo
Founder and Chief Executive, Bolden
Thapelo Letsholo is the Founder and Chief Executive of Bolden. He founded the communications firm RedPepper PRC after serving as a director at Kgalagadi Breweries Limited, and was elected Member of Parliament for Kanye North in 2019.
Cross-Border Patron · Botswana
Kutlo Moagi
Executive Director, Brand Management, Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC)
Kutlo Moagi is Executive Director, Brand Management at the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC), where she leads Brand Botswana and has served as the organisation's spokesperson on trade and investment.
Cross-Border Patron
Renier Lombard
Co-founder, The Lekker Network
Renier Lombard is a co-founder of The Lekker Network, which connects South African business owners around the world, and of FDC, which helps clients build their presence and relationships on LinkedIn. He is known online as The Digital Animal.
Cross-Border Patron · Botswana
Jillian Blackbeard
Chief Executive, Africa's Eden Tourism Association
Jillian Blackbeard is the Chief Executive of Africa's Eden Tourism Association, a private-sector body promoting tourism across the KAZA region. She previously worked in tourism marketing with a Southern African hotel group and the Botswana Tourism Organisation, and managed the Tlhokomela Endangered Wildlife Trust.
Cross-Border Patron · Botswana
Tebogo Motshome-Maranyane
Ambassador, Republic of Botswana
Ambassador Tebogo Motshome-Maranyane is a Botswana diplomat. She presented her credentials as Botswana's Ambassador to Brazil in Brasília in December 2018, was accredited to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in 2019, and has served as spokesperson for Botswana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Cross-Border Patron · Zimbabwe
Fungai ‘Kush’ Zvirawa
Chief Executive Officer, Zimbabwe Music Awards (ZIMA)
Fungai ‘Kush’ Zvirawa was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Zimbabwe Music Awards (ZIMA) in 2024. She has spoken on Africa's music industry at the ACCES conference of the Music In Africa Foundation.