On this finale episode of the season and that of the year 2023, Yandile and Bakang take a moment to reflect on the year. The episodes features guest host Tekanyo Tshetlhane to discuss the collaborative project for Ambassadors for Good with Debswana. Cheers to the year that 2023 was and we look forward to having you in the next year, we appreciate each and every single listener that tuned in. Together, LETS KEEP THE MIC AND SPEAKERS ON. See you in 2024!

On the 6th of November 2023, the president of Botswana His Excellency Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi delivered his 5th state of the nation address since he assumed presidency in 2018. For this episode, Bakang and Yandile share some key takeaways and opportunities from the speech as well as some issues they wish the president had touched on. #convoloungeafrica

This episode features Mr. Letlhogonolo Moremi, an Attorney, Intellectual Property Consultant and Development Practitioner with a Law degree (LLB) from the University of Botswana and a Master's degree in Intellectual Property and Development Policy (MIPD) from the KDI School of Public Policy and Management in South Korea. He is the founder of ParkGrey IP, Botswana’s first intellectual property consulting firm (www.parkgrey.com).Mr. Moremi is a 2022 World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) scholar, and is an alumni of the Young African Leaders Initiative - Regional Leadership Center (YALI-RLC) in Pretoria, South Africa. He is a sitting board member of the Motheo Lawyers Mentorship Trust, and, member of the Global Intellectual Property Alliance (GLIPA), a correspondent for the Korea-Africa Foundation.

For this episode of The Convo Lounge, Bakang and Yandile take you on a captivating journey through the recent learning experience with Ikageng Junior School in Metsimotlhabe, Botswana. This remarkable initiative, in partnership with Debswana employees under the Ambassadors for Good program, and supported by the Anglo-American Foundation, is designed to shape the future of Botswana's youth and contribute to a nationwide mindset change campaign by Botswana Goverment.Listeners will dive into the inspiring story of how students from Ikageng Junior School embarked on a transformative learning excursion to key economic zones in Gaborone, Botswana's vibrant capital city. The primary goal of this initiative is to expose these young minds to various economic activities and professionals from diverse industries, facilitating a transfer of knowledge and skills.Join us as we explore the impact of this skills development project, aimed at inspiring and motivating students to align their career aspirations with current economic trends. Through this immersive experience, the students visited a series of significant locations, each offering a unique perspective on the economic landscape:Mass Media Complex: The journey began with a visit to the Mass Media Complex, housing Botswana Government Information Broadcasting Centers, Botswana Television, Radio Botswana, and the Daily Newspaper. Learn how these young minds were exposed to the world of media and communication.Central Business District and Government Enclave: Discover how the students explored the bustling heart of Gaborone, including the Government Enclave, home to various ministry headquarters and the Botswana Parliament, Ntlo ya Dikgosi, where Botswana's laws are crafted.BrainSTREAM: The students then delved into the world of coding and robotics at BrainSTREAM, gaining insights into the cutting-edge technologies that are shaping the future.Orange Digital Center: Our journey continues at the Orange Digital Center, where students had the opportunity to explore coding, laser technology, 3D printing, and embroidery, witnessing the innovation driving the digital age.Block 8 Industrial: The tour concludes with a visit to the Block 8 Industrial area, where Debswana Headquarters is located, and the new Sir Seretse Khama Special Economic Zone. Gain insights into Botswana's economic prowess and its role in the global landscape.This podcast episode highlights the incredible impact of initiatives like the Ambassadors for Good program, shedding light on the importance of shaping globally relevant talent and inspiring future leaders. Join us as we share the inspiring stories of these students and the hope they carry for a brighter tomorrow. #convoloungeafrica

This episode Bakang has a conversation with Sonny Serite.Sonny Serite wears many hats, all tied together by his daring exploits. A former investigative journalist turned digital creator, leveraging on that to become an impactful brand ambassador for the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA). After another successful exploit with Botswana Tourism Organisation in a campaign that promoted local travel. Sonny has worked as a senior investigative reporter for the INK Centre for Investigative Journalism, and has also worked as an investigative journalist for the Botswana Gazette and Business Weekly. He rose to prominence through his no knuckle barred opinions carried through his column in the Sunday Standard and The Telegraph. Prior to that, he worked at Water Utilities.Sonny is a risk taker, from being arrested, to giving us insights about local enterprises and his beautiful documentation about what the local tourism can offer. He is an avid traveler and also a strong supporter of entrepreneurs and small businesses.He uses his platforms to share his thoughts on current events, to promote his work, and to connect with his audience.

The world right now is buzzing with words of ESG, the frameworks and sustainability of operations. Let’s unpack all this with leading expert in this space in Botswana from Green Loop Consulting.In this episode of the podcast, we will be interviewing Lindiwe Modise, a leading expert in the field of ESG and Sustainability in Botswana. She is the Founder, Chief Environmentalist and ESG Specialist of Green Loop, a woman led organization based in Botswana. This episode will provide insights into the ESG and sustainability movement in Botswana and globally.ESG and sustainability are increasingly important issues for businesses and organizations of all sizes. ESG refers to environmental, social, and governance factors, which are non-financial factors that investors are increasingly considering when making investment decisions. Sustainability refers to the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. ESG and sustainability are important for businesses and organizations because they can help to improve their performance, reduce risk, and attract and retain customers and employees. They are also important for society as a whole because they can help to create a more sustainable future.Lindiwe will discuss the challenges and opportunities for ESG and sustainability, as well as the role that businesses, government, and civil society organizations can play in supporting and advancing the movement. She will share her expertise and insights on how businesses and organizations in Botswana can improve their ESG and sustainability performance.Lindiwe Modise is the trailblazing founder of Green Loop, a wholly owned woman led organization in the ESG and sustainability field. She is a leading expert in the field of sustainability and environmental compliance as a certified environmental practitioner with a Master’s degree in Environmental Management and Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from the Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia.Lindiwe is the Chairperson of the Botswana Environmental Assessment Practitioners Association (BEAPA), Technical Committee member for the Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS) GDP5-Packaging and labeling committee and a committee member of the Botswana National Olympic Committee – Sustainability Committee. Lindiwe’s interactive Sustainability and ESG consultancy and speaking services draw from her experiences founding and leading one of Botswana’s fastest growing innovative sustainability organization and assisting Botswana’s largest corporations create more inclusive and ESG compliant operating structures. Her knowledge and experience will inspire and motive your organization and audience to take action in closing the ESG compliancy gap and moving towards a more sustainable path of operating.#convolounge

This Exclusive episode takes us on a roller coaster of the journey that is Glotto’s #fromGCtoNYC. A story told by Glotto’s creative director and founder Mboko Basiami, a young women entrepreneur who is making a significant impact on the fashion industry in Botswana and Africa as a whole. She graduated from University of Botswana with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, majoring in International Business. While a student at the university, she started Glotto in 2015 through savings from her monthly allowance. She is a talented designer and a savvy businesswoman who has grown the Glotto brand beyond the confines of Gaborone, taking it national and now international.Through #Glotto, she celebrates Botswana's culture and heritage through bold colors, intricate patterns, and produces Afrocentric unisex garments that are wholly made in Botswana.She is passionate about empowering other African creatives and entrepreneurs. Mboko is a mentor to young fashion designers and entrepreneurs in Botswana, and she is also a vocal advocate for sustainability and ethical fashion practices. In 2022, she was selected as Forbes' 30 Under 30 Africa delegate, a testament to her success and impact. She is an inspiration to young people everywhere who are pursuing their dreams.In 2023 she made remarkable history of showcasing at a sold out prime time New York Fashion week, now that’s a #glottoglow#convoloungeafrica#newyork #podcastcommunity #newyorkfashionweek #glottoglow #fashion #sustainability #africanprints #design #forbes #africa #botswana

This episode features Moitshepi Matsheng co-founder and Managing Director of Youth Impact – an NGO based in Botswana committed to bridging the gap between evidence in health and education and translation into scaled policy and practice. Persistent and inspiring, Moitshepi co-founded Young1ove at the age of 22, which she grew into one of the largest NGOs in Botswana.Though the NGO initially started with intentions to reduce the spread of HIV/Aids among youth by providing information to students on HIV risk, with emphasis on the increased risk of infection from cross-generational sex, the NGO has diversified its portfolio for a wider reach and impact. Their “teaching at the right level” program subverts the standard modus operandi where learning is delivered to scholars in a top-down flow of knowledge without taking scholars’ individual needs into consideration.Moitshepi was the first Motswana to be selected for the Queen’s Young Leaders Award in 2016, three years later became an Obama Leader for Africa 2019. As the first female chairperson of the Botswana National Youth Council, Moitshepi champions and advocates or the empowerment of young people, playing a key role in advising the government for improved economic access for the youth.

Season 2 Episode 2 on leveraging the creative sector to unlock economic opportunities. For this episode, Yandile Chats to Marang Selolwane (nee Molosiwa) a highly motivated and dynamic creative economy specialist with a strong background in arts marketing, education, and brand positioning. With over 20 years of experience in arts, culture, and media, she has established herself as an accomplished arts lecturer, television actor, theatre director, performer, and digital media specialist.Marang gained national acclaim in 2002 at 11 as a child presenter on Botswana's first television program, Mantlwaneng. Since then, she has expanded her expertise and knowledge, earning a BA Drama degree from the University of Pretoria, a BA Honours in Drama and Film from Wits University, and she is currently pursuing a Master’s in Cultural Policy and Management at the Wits School of Arts.Throughout her career, Marang has collaborated with various corporate companies and government entities in Botswana, serving as an adjudicator, speaker, brand ambassador, and digital content developer. She has also made significant contributions to educational institutions, such as working with the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development as an adjudicator for scriptwriting and drama categories in the annual President's Day Competitions. In 2018, she joined AFDA Botswana/AWIL College as a lecturer, where she taught live performances to students in various disciplines.As a digital media specialist, Marang has successfully formed brand partnerships with prominent companies in Botswana, including Bifm, Bomaid, and Motor Holdings Botswana. Through these partnerships, she has effectively communicated complex messages to diverse audiences and stakeholders, demonstrating the value and importance of the arts sector.Marang's career is characterised by her commitment to innovative systems, creative problem-solving, and fostering partnerships between the business and arts sectors.#convoloungeafricaLet's hear your thoughts Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/46045...Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConvoLoungeA...Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/conv...WhatsApp Line: +26776519992Host: Yandile NukuGuest: Marang SelolwaneProducer: Bonnie ModiakgotlaSound Technician: Pako MpuangBranding: Growthority Pty LtdVideography & Visual Graphics: Dd Square Multimedia Pty Ltd

Yandile and Bakang are back for Season 2 of the Convo Lounge Podcast! 🌟After a fantastic Season 1, we're thrilled to bring you more insightful conversations and quality content. In this episode, we'll be reminiscing about some memorable moments from Season 1, diving into Bakang's incredible journey to the U.S. through the Mandela Washington Fellowship, and how it's shaping the future of Convo Lounge.Get ready for a whole new level of excitement and impact! 🌍✈️Stay tuned for the big reveal of our new episode schedule, dates, and times. We can't wait to share all the incredible conversations and stories we have in store for you. 🗓️Catch us on multiple social media platforms and your favorite podcast platforms. Let's keep the conversation going!#ConvoLoungeSeason2 #ExcitingTimesAhead #QualityContent #MandelaWashingtonFellowship #PodcastCommunity 🥳🥳🥳🎉