Botswana Forum 2024

Bio coming soon ….

Dr Allyson Leacock, Chairman of the Barbados Broadcasting Authority and Director of National Transformation Initiative, Government of Barbados, is also an independent media and human development consultant. She led a coalition of 112 Media Houses in 24 Caribbean countries for 12 years and trained over 2000 Caribbean broadcasters. She served on the Executive Board of the Global Media AIDS Initiative (GMAI) and was elected for 2 terms as Chairman of the Global Steering Committee for the World AIDS Campaign. She was also Cultural Affairs Specialist at the US Embassy covering the Caribbean and Officer-In-Charge and Student Coordinator at the University of the West Indies Distance Education Centre (UWIDEC), now the Open Campus.

Dr Allyson Leacock was conferred with the Order of the Republic (OR) in Barbados National Honours on 30 November 2023. The award was given by the President of Barbados – In ‘recognition of sterling contribution to broadcasting, media relations, corporate communications, training, human resource development and educational technology, as well as distinguished service to Barbados as Head of National Transformation Initiative’.

Dr Leacock has a wide-ranging professional background including in executive management in corporate communications, media, needs assessment, training, human resource development and leadership, as well broadcast media including production and presentation as TV News Anchor, and as General Manager of the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation.

She holds Masters and Ph.D. degrees in Educational Technology, Concordia University, Canada and BA (Double First Class Honours) in English and Education and the Diploma in Education (Dip.Ed with distinction) from Stirling University, UK. Her training also includes Diplomas in Human Resource Management, Facility Management, Arts Management and Alternative Dispute Resolution.

A former national athlete, gymnast, dancer and actress, Dr Leacock is trained in sign language, is a volunteer with Special Olympics and Barbados Council for the Disabled.

Dr Aminu Maida is the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), he was appointed into office on the 11th of October 2023 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

His appointment was subsequently confirmed by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Thursday, November 16, 2024, in line with the provisions of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA), 2023.

Dr Maida is a highly accomplished technology executive with extensive experience spanning across the telecommunication and payments industries. Throughout his illustrious career, Dr Maida has consistently demonstrated his expertise in leading cutting-edge innovations, managing cross-functional teams, and driving growth for businesses in competitive markets.

With a solid academic background, Dr Maida holds a Ph.D. in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from Bath University, UK, a Masters in Engineering in Information Systems Engineering from Imperial College London, as well as a Post Graduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship from Cambridge Judge Business School. His educational credentials have played an instrumental role in shaping his ability to tackle complex technical challenges and devise robust, future-proof strategies.

Before assuming his current role as the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the NCC, Dr Maida held key positions in prominent organizations. He served as the Executive Director, Technology and Operations at the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement Systems PLC (NIBSS), overseeing the organization’s day-to-day operations and IT infrastructure. Prior to this, he held the position of Chief Technology Officer at ARCA Payments Network, a leading Nigerian FinTech firm. His career trajectory also includes roles at British Telecoms as a Lead Consultant and at the Mobility Group, Cisco Systems UK.

Dr Maida’s technical prowess is further evidenced by the numerous patents he holds to his name in the areas of wireless communication and self-organising networks. He is an active participant in industry conferences and forums, where he shares his insights and experience with fellow professionals. He is committed to the ongoing advancement of technology in the telecommunication and payments sectors, mentoring young professionals, and contributing to research that shapes the future of these industries.

Throughout his career, he has successfully managed teams of engineers, developers, and researchers, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment. His expertise in strategic planning, business development, technology transformation, and project management have contributed significantly to the growth and expansion of the companies and organisations he has worked with.

As Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr Aminu Maida has set out to deliver optimal value to the three categories of stakeholders of the Commission: The Consumers; the Licensees/ Industry; and the Government. His vision focuses on fostering growth in the telecoms sector as a catalyst for broader economic development, enhancing industry resilience, and prioritizing consumer satisfaction by improving service quality and experience.

The five drivers that underpin his leadership at the Commission are: the People—who he acknowledges as the biggest assets of the Commission; Collaboration; Data-driven decision-making; Compliance and Digitisation.

Anriette Esterhuysen served as the chairperson of the Multistakeholder Advisory Committee of the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) from 2019 to 2021. She was a member of the Global Commission on the Stability of Cyberspace and served as executive director of the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) from 2000 to 2017 and continues to work as a consultant with APC as Senior Advisor on Internet Governance. She convenes the annual African School on Internet Governance, an APC collaboration with Research ICT Africa at the University of Cape Town, and the African Union Commission. She is currently a member of the Aspen Institute Global Cyber group and serves on the governing bodies of the IGF Support Association, Connect Humanity, the Digital Empowerment Foundation, and the South African Tertiary Education Network (TENET).  Ms Esterhuysen was inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame as a Global Connecter in 2013 for her work in extending internet connectivity in Africa and received the Electronic Frontier Foundation Pioneer Award in 2015 for her work on defending and promoting human rights online.

Aynon Doyle is Head of Policy Analysis and Research, in the Regulatory Affairs department at MultiChoice South Africa and has been with the group since May 2006. He has provided regulatory support in due diligence processes in Africa, the Middle East, Europe and South America, as part of the MIH Group. Mr Doyle’s main focus area currently is providing input and expert advice to government policy development processes and the Digital Broadcasting Switchover. In South Africa, he was the chairperson for the Policy Working Committee of the Digital Broadcasting Migration Working Group, established by the Minister of Communications to make recommendations on a digital broadcasting switchover strategy. Mr Doyle currently chairs the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) Commercial Rules of Operation Joint Committee established by the national terrestrial broadcasters (SABC, etv, and M-Net) to draft a South African operations manual for the commercial roll-out of DTT in South Africa and is a member of the sector regulators’ Joint Spectrum Advisory Group (JSAG).

Mr Doyle’s career has spanned a wide spectrum of industries with a specific focus on policy development and analysis since 1994. In that period he has worked for the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) where he was responsible for overseeing the development of policy and regulations for the broadcasting sector in South Africa. He also worked for the South African National Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) where he engaged in the areas of intellectual property, consumer protection, competition and the development of national standards; the Consumer Institute South Africa (CISA) as a researcher in the area of consumer protection policy; and the University of Port Elizabeth where he was a lecturer in the Political Studies department.

Mr Doyle completed his graduate and postgraduate studies at the University of Port Elizabeth (now known as the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University). He currently holds a Masters degree (MA) in Political Studies and is a member of the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR).

Engineer Ms Basebi Jacqui Mosinyi holds an MSc Strategic Management from University of Derby UK, Post graduate Diploma in Leadership Development in ICT and Knowledge Society from Dublin City University in Ireland. Ms Mosinyi also holds a BEng Honors in Electronics majoring in Telecommunications from Multimedia University in Malaysia. She graduated from Cable and Wireless College in Coventry 1994 with a BTEC Higher National Diploma. She also holds a Graduate Certificate in Telecommunications Policy and Regulation from Witwatersrand University in South Africa.

Ms Mosinyi has over 30 years of experience in the Telecommunications field 24 of which have been with Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) a communications regulator in Botswana. During the 24 years, she has been responsible for several portfolios including Manager Spectrum Planning, Senior Engineer Spectrum Planning, Engineer Telecommunications and Telecommunications Technician. She was appointed to the Position of Deputy Director Spectrum Management in April 2019 where she takes care of all activities regarding the same.

Ms Mosinyi has been very instrumental in the preparatory processes for World Radiocommunications Conferences (WRC) on behalf of Botswana, SADC and African Telecommunications Union since 2010. During WRC 2023, She chaired the Credentials committee (COM 2) of the International Telecommunications Union, Committee 5 of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) dealing with satellite regulatory issues, and Committee 4 of SADC also dealing with satellite regulatory issues. She has been awarded a Global Impact Award by ATU being recognized for spearheading implementation of Resolution 558 of WRC-23 on behalf of African.

She was appointed the project Manager for the review of Botswana spectrum management strategy in 2017. She successfully delivered the project which significantly changed the spectrum pricing policy for Botswana. One of the major decisions taken as a result of this project was that BOCRA decided to rebalance away its revenues from turnover fees to radio spectrum fees as a way to promote spectrum efficiency and to follow international best practice.

She is a sought out international speaker, specifically for issues dealing with radio frequency spectrum management which is her specialized area.

Bio coming soon …..

Charmaine Houvet is an accomplished and visionary leader with an illustrious career spanning over three decades in the dynamic and ever-evolving Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector. With an impressive track record in both the public, private, and academic spheres, and with her innovation-oriented mindset she has been a driving force behind technological advancements and policy changes, shaping the landscape of the industry.

Throughout her career, Ms Houvet has demonstrated her exceptional expertise in forging successful partnerships between an ecosystem of stakeholders. As a trusted advisor to government heads, she has provided invaluable insights on strategic technology adoption and has played a pivotal role in crafting forward-thinking policies and regulations that drive innovation and digital transformation.

Notably, Ms Houvet served as a key member of the President Ramaphosa’s 4IR commission, where she played a central role in shaping the nation’s approach to harnessing emerging technologies for economic and societal progress. She serves on various boards and as a board member of the International Womens Forum of South Africa, We Think Code and as a Chairperson of Cisco’s Charitable Trust Foundation.

Her passion for advancing the ICT sector, combined with her strong advocacy for women’s empowerment, has been a defining aspect of her journey. Recognized for her relentless efforts in the ICT sector, she is the recipient of several prestigious awards acknowledging her significant contributions to the industry’s growth and empowerment of women within it. Beyond her executive roles, she is known for her dedication to mentoring, sponsoring, and coaching young women, empowering them to thrive in the technology field. She has been actively involved in establishing and running a non-profit organization that supports women in technology, fostering a nurturing environment that nurtures their talent and aspirations.

Ms Houvet is an exceptional leader who has left an indelible mark on the ICT industry, advocating for connectivity, positive change, gender equality, and innovation. Her outstanding achievements as a visionary executive, advisor, and mentor continue to inspire and shape the future of technology, driving progress and inclusivity in the digital age.

Daud Elvin Suleman, the Director General of the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) is an avid technology enthusiast with over 18 years of experience in the fintech and banking sector.  Mr Suleman worked with the first microbank that opened in Malawi, targeting rural and underserved markets with technologically based banking services; paperless banking halls and biometric identification. As a highly experienced IT practitioner in Malawi, Mr Suleman is heading a team of passionate professionals at MACRA which is aiming at deepening access to affordable, secure and quality communication services to all Malawians.

Ms Dzene Makhwade-Seboni has been the CEO of Mascom Wireless Botswana, a leading telecommunications and digital services player in Botswana, since October 2019. Having joined Mascom in 2006 as the Chief Marketing Officer, she was appointed to the position of Chief Operations Officer in 2016 before she was appointed as the first female CEO of a major telecommunications provider in Botswana in 2019.

Prior to joining Mascom, she held key positions in various blue-chip organisations including in banking Ms Makhwade-Seboni brings to the Mascom CEO position, experience in strategic planning, strategic marketing and commercial leadership.

Her astute leadership and experience in building and empowering teams was further demonstrated in her role as Mascom Chief Operation Officer which entailed the coordination and execution of all commercially related functions within Mascom, where she had accountability for delivery of major organisational initiatives. As CEO, she has spearheaded the successful development and entrenchment of initiatives to strengthen the Mascom Brand in addition to the commercial launch of Mascom’s first ever Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) project. She further led the Mascom team as the first telco to launch 5G in Botswana.

Through its efforts and commitment to Botswana, under the leadership of Ms Makhwade-Seboni, the company continues to maintain its focus on bringing innovative and relevant solutions to the market to retain its position at the forefront of the industry. Furthermore, Mascom has been deliberate in being a purpose-led organisation that is “powering connections that inspire change”.  Notable initiatives, developed under Ms Makhwade-Seboni’s leadership and guidance, showcasing this Purpose include the company’s staff led corporate social investment programmes.

Ms Makhwade-Seboni serves as the Chairperson of the UNICEF Botswana CEO’s Council on Children’s Rights. This esteemed appointment is a testament to her unwavering commitment to creating positive and sustainable change for young people around the world. This is a pivotal role in guiding and supporting corporate initiatives that directly impact the lives of children, ensuring equality and inclusion for every child.

Ms Makhwade-Seboni is an embodiment of solid educational and academic accomplishments, with a BA Economics (cum laude in General Studies) from Harvard University; a Graduate Diploma in Marketing from the Institute of Marketing Management (IMM) and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business.

Helen Kyeyune is part of the Amazon Kuiper International Regulatory Affairs team. She works with national administrations and regional associations in Europe, Middle East, and Africa to ensure that affordable and reliable satellite broadband services will reach populations that are not adequately covered by the available services. Previously, at Access Partnership, Ms Kyeyune advised telecommunications companies on technology policy and regulation to enable them to efficiently access global markets. Prior to that, at Ofcom, the United Kingdom regulator, she helped develop Public Policy, notably contributing to research on the possibility of Open Communications and on the needs of broadband users in the UK.  Ms Kyeyune was a long-time regulator in Uganda, helping to advise on national ICT policy, managing radio spectrum, developing licensing frameworks and designing and implementing projects for the Ugandan rural access programme. Her background is in Electrical engineering with specialisation in telecommunications.

Hopeton S. Dunn is Professor of Communications Policy and Digital Media at the University of Botswana. He is also non-resident Senior Research Associate at the School of Communication, University of Johannesburg, South Africa. Professor Dunn served for a decade as Chairman of the regulatory Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica, and was the inaugural Chairman of the Jamaica Telecommunications Advisory Council (JTAC).

He is the immediate past Director of the Caribbean School of Media and Communication (CARIMAC), University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus, where he also headed the Mona ICT Policy Centre (MICT). His research interests include: AI and technology transitions; broadcasting policy and regulation; media and information literacy, digital access and inclusion, and telecommunications policy reforms.

Professor Dunn is a former Secretary General of the International Association for Media and Communication Research, IAMCR. His most recent co-edited volume, titled The Palgrave Handbook of Everyday Digital Life was published in February 2024. His previous co-edited book, published in 2021 is titled: Re-imagining Communication in Africa and the Caribbean: Global South Issues in Media, Culture and Technology.

Kebonyemodisa Diploma Mokgwathi is the Chief Engineer at Liquid Intelligent Technologies Botswana. He joined the company in 2017 as Engineering Manager, and progressed to become Chief Engineer in 2019. Mr Mokgwathi’s experience in the Telecommunication industry spans 18 years, cutting across the vendor and operator ecosystems. He has a proven track record of Core and transmission Network Engineering and Project Management, including building Liquid Intelligent Technologies Botswana fibre network from inception.

Before joning Liquid Intelligent Technologies Botswana, Mr Mokgwathi worked for Huawei Technologies Botswana as Customer Project Manager where he successfully delivered major projects including Fiber to the Building (FTTx), which helped the company to achieve its revenue and profitability targets.

His expertise includes IP Networking, Transmission, Wireless, Cloud and cysbersecurity, and he has a deep understanding of telecommunications technologies. Mr Mokgwathi is known for his engineering professional excellence, and his continuous learning attitude has contributed to his success in the fast evolving telecommunications, cloud networking and Cybersecurity space.

In his current role at Liquid Intelligent Technologies Botswana, Diploma is responsible for all aspects of the network and Information Technology (IT) strategy including engineering, planning, projects implementation and network operations. He has implemented the first fibre project and service delivery network during his time at the company, and has been recognized for being a supportive team player.

Mr Mokgwathi holds a Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Telecommunications from the University of Essex in United Kingdom. Additionaly, he has completed a Management Development Programme with the University of Stellenbosch. On the professional side, Diploma is a certified Prince 2 Practitioner in Project Management, Certfied in Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud practice. He is a member of the the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC)².

Mr Kesego Modongo is a seasoned Competition Law Expert, admitted Attorney, Notary Public and Conveyancer under the Laws of Botswana. He has 17 years’ extensive experience and expertise notably in contract law, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, negotiations, and the commercial and competition law field.

Mr Modongo is currently Director Legal Services of the Botswana Competition and Consumer Authority having held this position since 2018. Prior to this position, he held various middle to senior roles in the Authority and elsewhere in the public sector including the Botswana Attorney General’s Chambers.

In his role as the Director of Legal Services, Mr Modongo is responsible for providing legal expertise and advisorial services to the Authority. He successfully prosecuted abuse of dominant case “Gabcon” and successfully defended Authority merger decisions “Plascon Dulux” and “New African Properties v CCA” at the Competition and Consumer Tribunal. He has actively led the Botswana delegation in high level regional and continental platforms, including during the high-level technical committee negotiations of the Competition Protocols under the AfCFTA and the SADC-COMESA-EAC Tripartite Agreement.

Mr Modongo holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from University of Botswana, Post Graduate Diploma (PGDip) in Economics of Competition Law from Kings College London, United Kingdom, and a Master’s degree in Global Competition from Loyola University of Chicago United States of America.

He has presented various competition law papers including at the OECD, Paris France, on State Owned Enterprises and Competition Policy: A case for Botswana.

Liza Zouabi is an economist with over 30 years experience across a number of sectors. She began her career at the at the University of South Africa where she taught undergraduate and post graduate students and was involved in consulting on an array of subjects. In 2002 she joined the South African Competition Commission where she was head of case analysis in the policy and research division. This was followed by a stint in National Treasury where she was director responsible for indirect taxes. He passion for competition matters never waned, however, and she returned to advising on economic aspects of competition enforcement by joining a Johannesburg firm in 2008. In 2010 she joined Telkom South Africa where she is Executive: Group Pricing and Regulatory Economics Compliance.

Adv. Luthando Mkumatela served at the Department of International Affairs of the ANC in Lusaka as the Senior Legal Resource. He later joined the Centre for the Development of Information and Telecommunications Policy (CDITP) in Johannesburg. Adv. Mkumatela has worked for Telkom as the Manager for Regulatory Affairs. He was appointed a Councilor of the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) and represented the organisation during the merger between IBA and SATRA to form ICASA.

Post the merger Adv. Mkumatela moved to the Department of Communications and served as a Chief Director in the office of the Director-General. He formed Amalico Investment Solutions and managed all its activities. He was appointed as the Chairperson of the Space Affairs Council of South Africa (SACSA). Adv. Mkumatela also served as the member of the State Security Agency and proceeded to become an advisor to the former Minister of Communications Mr. Yunus Carrim.

He has attended training in ICT Policy Development and Regulation, Management programme offered by Anderson Consulting, and Strategic Direction and Corporate Governance from the Institute of Directors.

Adv. Mkumatela holds a Masters in Law specialising in International Law, Masters of Law in Aviation and Space Law. He holds a Certificate in Telecommunications Regulation,

Mr Bbuku is an accomplished regulatory expert with over a decade of experience in championing affordable connectivity, sustainable investment and the adoption of innovative business models that leverage emerging technologies for inclusive digital transformation.

At the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA), Mr Bbuku has spearheaded numerous national, regional and international initiatives aimed at enhancing competition, promoting investment and ensuring affordability in the ICT Sector.

He has also been instrumental in establishing responsive regulations that adapt to the dynamic and evolving business models of the digital economy. Key among them are regulations on open access and infrastructure sharing, competition management as well as costing and pricing regulation.

Mr Bbuku plays an active role in the work of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), where he has, over the years, held key positions such as Co-Chair of the ITU-T Study Group 3 – Regional Group for Africa on Economic and Policy issues as well as Chairman of the ITU Expert Group on the International Telecommunication Regulations (ITRs).

His extensive experience and leadership in these roles underscore his commitment to promoting meaningful and affordable connectivity for inclusive digital transformation.

Lynn Robinson became Director General of the International Institute of Communications (IIC), in March 2020.

Lynn is an experienced senior director and trustee / non exec-director, having held key senior leadership positions in the technology, built environment, regulation, accreditation and dental industries. She has extensive experience of professional membership bodies working within the full spectrum including, Regulatory bodies, Industry associations and Chambers of Commerce. Lynn is a well-known and established ambassador in these areas having led on many strategic programmes to aid engagement, growth, retention, change management, stakeholder and political engagement.

An experienced Trustee / Non-Executive Director as Vice Chair at Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust, a unique heritage site in the heart of Bristol (UK), Lynn is also a Trustee / Non-Executive Director at The Bristol and Bath (UK), Parks Foundation.

Reflecting on becoming Director General at the IIC at the outbreak of a pandemic, Lynn said, ‘these last two years have been like no other we have known, with many challenges coming our way. In 2020 we successfully pivoted the organisation through a digital transformation programme to maintain a full schedule of events and by increasing the outputs delivered. Transforming the programme enabled us to continue to deliver the professional service and increase our engagement with IIC members and stakeholder community to remain connected to them through such a difficult time.

As we move through 2022, I am delighted to return to a combined in-person and online programme and to continue to evolve the IIC in to the next phase, with the vision and strategic focus to deliver our objectives and to build on our growth, engagement and retention’.

Mr Masisi is a Member of the Management Executive Committee of Orange Botswana reporting to the Chief Executive Officer. He is a seasoned telecommunications expert being Responsible for the implementation of the Customer Service strategy, including a robust digital transformation plan with the focus of developing fully integrated, seamless customer experience for all customer touch points while reducing costs.

Mr Masisi has been at Executive Management Level for over 12 years and is entrusted with leading a team in charge of Operationalizing customer service business strategies, conceptualizing and managing a diverse range of customer experience improvement initiatives.

Mark Gaffley brings over 12 years’ of experience cutting across legal, start-ups and research. Mr Gaffley’s expertise in commercial law, e-commerce, technology and artificial intelligence has also served a number of leading organisations such as Uber, Takealot, Media24, Human Sciences Research Council, and the African Observatory on Responsible AI.

Mr Gaffley holds degrees in arts and law from the University of Cape Town (UCT) and is pursuing a PhD in jurisprudence at UCT. His doctoral research centres on the ethical and philosophical implications of artificial intelligence, particularly its long-term impact on human autonomy and decision-making.

Martin M. Kamethu is an accomplished cybersecurity and technology leader with a specialization in developing programs that drive innovation, growth, and business profitability. With over a decade of experience, he currently serves as the Country Director for the Botswana office of Serianu Limited, a Pan African cybersecurity consulting firm with presence in Kenya, Botswana, Lesotho, Uganda, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Nigeria.

At Serianu, Mr Kamethu is at the forefront of providing dynamic, business focused security monitoring and analytics solutions, leveraging a combination of consulting, managed services, and threat intelligence.

He has extensive expertise in designing and implementing cybersecurity solutions that effectively reduce organizations’ overall cyber risk and threat exposure. Throughout his career, he has successfully led teams to deliver impactful projects across Eastern and Southern Africa.

Mr Kamethu is passionate about innovation and leadership, particularly in exploring Africa’s potential to address current and future global cybersecurity challenges.

Bio coming soon ….

Masego M. Jeremih is Head of Broadcasting and Corporate Communications at Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA). Ms Jeremiah is a Broadcasting and Corporate Communications professional with more than ten (10) years’ experience in the industry. She was previously in the Digital Migration Task Force appointed to ensure a smooth transition from analogue broadcasting to digital platforms. Her roles and responsibilities have been developing, directing, and implementing industry codes, operation guidelines and licensing frameworks in the broadcasting industry. She is also responsible for monitoring and compliance of broadcasters with regulatory tools and licence conditions. Ms Jeremiah guest lectures at the University of Botswana on Media Regulation and also teaches Primary and Junior students Digital Transformation, Online Safety and Cyber Hygiene.

Possessing a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) as well as a Bachelor of Media Studies (BMS), with Majors in Video & Television Production and Public Relations, both attained from the University of Botswana. Ms Jeremiah also has a Diploma in Telecommunications Management, a Diploma in Economic Regulation and a Diploma in Broadcasting Regulation.

A dynamic, innovative and result oriented professional who has worked with decision makers in government institutions, regulators and operators across the Southern African region and experts in the field of regulation. Harnessed research skills and stakeholder engagement especially in developing regulatory instruments.

Ms Jeremiah is currently on the Communications Regulators Association of Southern Africa (CRASA) Working Group established to assess the impact of Online Broadcasters on Broadcasting Regulation and the Electronic and Communications Committee (ECC) to develop a template for data collection on broadcasting regulation requirements in SADC Region for the SADC TV Bouquet.

With extensive experience in IT services within the Financial Services sector, Mvilawemphi Dlamini brings both technical expertise and strategic insight, leveraging IT business tools, frameworks, and standards.

Since April 2017, he has overseen the regulation of the Telecommunications, Broadcasting, and Postal sectors, as well as Spectrum management in Eswatini. This role involves collaboration with various regulatory bodies and international organizations, including SADC, CRASA, BOCRA, CTO, ITU, ATU, ICANN, GSMA, PAPU, and UPU. Currently, Mr Dlamini serves as the Chairperson of CRASA, the association of SADC Telecommunications regulators.

A key aspect of Mr Dlamini ‘s role involves managing and executing the Universal Service and Access mandate. This includes expanding broadband services to underserved areas, supporting physically challenged students, connecting health centers and schools, and providing ICT training for the elderly, disabled, and displaced individuals.

He is also responsible for establishing and operationalizing the National Cybersecurity Agency and Computer Incident Response Team (CIRT). This includes working with Critical Information Infrastructure providers to safeguard key infrastructure from cyber threats and unauthorized access, ensuring that sector specific CIRTs are developed and maintained in line with international best practices.

In addition, Mr Dlamini acts as Eswatini’s Supervisory Authority for the Data Protection Act, 2022. This responsibility entails enforcing and supervising data protection regulations to safeguard individuals’ rights against Data Controllers and Data Processors, ensuring that collected data is used only for its intended purpose.

Mr Nizam Goolam is the CEO of Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA) with professional experience spanning 34 years in the telecommunications industry. He started his career at the then Lesotho Telecommunications Corporation which was later privatized to the now Econet Telecom Lesotho. He joined LCA in 2008 as Manager: Spectrum & Technology where amongst others he ensured efficient spectrum utilisation through driving strategic initiatives that balance regulatory compliance with
technological advancement. He then progressed to become the Chief Technology Officer and carried with him his legacy of ensuring that technology serves as a catalyst for progress in the digital age.

He holds a deep passion for cybersecurity and is committed to ensuring the security and efficiency of the ever-evolving digital landscape dovetails to every consumer of communications services. He strongly believes that it is only through continuous training and adaptability that the war against cyber crimes can be won.

Mr Goolam holds a BSC degree from the National University of Lesotho and an Engineering degree from the University of Cape Town.

Ms Nomvuyiso Batyi is the Chief Executive Office of the newly established Association of Comms and Technology, which is an NPC that focuses on ecosystem matters of importance to the broader Information, Communication and Technology (“ICT”) sector and provides a unified voice for this important sector in the South African economy.

Prior to this, she was at the Film and Publication Board (FPB) as the Interim Chief Executive Officer, a content regulator.

She previously held the position of Head: Presidential Commission: 4IR Programme Management Office at the DCTD. In this role she was responsible for ensuring South Africa develops a Strategic Implementation Plan for all 4IR programs and projects monitors the progress of the same. At the height of what we know now in South Africa as alert level 5, 4 and 3 in 2020 and 2021 she led the COVID-19 Response Project Management Office for the Communications and Digital Technologies sector and sub sectors which was a huge success in ensuring access to Communications services during the national lockdown.

Before this she served as the Acting Director General DCDT, then Department of Communications (DoC) until it was merged with the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS) to create the new Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT), a project which she championed.

Besides serving as the accounting officer for the DoC in her capacity as Acting Director General, she led the National Macro Organisation of Government (NMOG) process of the department. She was instrumental in ensuring proper transfer of entities such as Brand SA and MDDA to the GCIS, and placement of employees into the new structure of the DCDT.

Ms Batyi was initially appointed as the Special Adviser to the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies where she provided strategic advice to the Minister in the development of ICT policy and regulatory framework, including monitoring implementation as well as its impact on the wellbeing of South African citizens.

Ms Batyi worked at Primedia Broadcasting as Executive Human Capital and Regulatory Affairs, she was tasked with ensuring amongst others that the media assets of the company are digital ready, responsible submissions to the relevant national policymakers and regulators, and overall management of the HR function.

She served two terms as a Councilor (Executive Board Member) at the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA). Her core functions included ensuring that regulations are developed within the legislative ambit governing Broadcasting, Electronic Communications and other related legislation. For purposes of broadcasting sector, she led and finalised projects such as: Local Content Quota for TV and Radio; Licensing of Commercial Radio for Gauteng, Kwa Zulu-Natal, Western Cape and Northern Cape; Call termination for voice; Licensing of Multiplex 3 for purposes of Commercial Television. She adjudicated on Complaints that have been tabled before the Complaints and Compliance Committee of ICASA.

Prior to her appointment as Councilor at ICASA, Nomvuyiso started as a Manager: Competition at the regulator and also served as Acting Senior Manager for Policy Analysis and Development. She cut her teeth in public service as an Investigator for the Competition Commission of South Africa.
She is a consummate professional who puts attention to detail without losing the bigger picture, passionate about public service and improving the lives of the citizens of South Africa.

Ms Batyi holds a Master of Business Leadership (MBL) from the University of South Africa, a BProc and LLB degrees from the University of Fort Hare.

George William Nyombi Thembo is an Economist and a seasoned Corporate Executive with experience in public service spanning more than 30 years. The Hon. Nyombi Thembo has in-depth knowledge and diverse background in ICT policy, public policy and administration, and regulatory leadership in communications sector. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC). In the International ICT space, The Hon. Nyombi Thembo is the Chairman of the ITU Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) for the period 2024-2025 and is primarily responsible for promoting regulatory best practices and innovative approaches aligned with the ITU’s broader goals.

The Hon. Nyombi Thembo holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Social Administration from Makerere University, a Master’s degree in Development Economics from Uganda Martyrs University, Postgraduate Diplomas in Project Management from Bradford University in the UK, and Financial Management from the Uganda Management Institute. Additionally, he possesses various Certifications in ICT Policy, Public Utility Regulation, Investment Analysis, Public-Private Partnerships and Railway Transport and Logistics.

The Hon. Nyombi Thembo’s professional journey includes notable roles such as Director of the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF), Senior Economist with Uganda Railways Corporation, Projects Coordinator of the World Bank financed Transport Rehabilitation Project (Railways Component). He has also worked closely with major financing agencies like the African Development Bank, DANIDA and KFW as Projects Coordinator. On political side, The Hon. Nyombi Thembo has held Ministerial responsibilities in Primary Education, Luwero Triangle (Ministry responsible for the areas where the liberation struggle 1981-86 took place), and Information and Communications Technology during his illustrious tour of duty as a Member of Parliament for 15 years. The Hon. Nyombi Thembo has also taught Economics at high school (Principles of Economics) and university level (Managerial Economics, Microeconomics, and Project Planning). He was also a Councilor of Kampala Capital City where he was the Finance and Administration Committee Chair for eight years. Outside his professional endeavors, The Hon. Nyombi Thembo was a performing artist, play wright, producer, and artistic director. He is a family man, conservationist, and promoter of eco-friendly tourism in Uganda.

With over 16 years of working in the information and communication technology regulation space, Shukya Jumanne Kiroga is committed to driving digital strategy and improving welfare at a boundary of firm’s operations and public policy, by applying rigorous and innovative approaches by leveraging the broad set of skills to address public policy issues that require a good understanding of economics, technology and utility management strategy.

Mr Kiroga is Head of Electronic Communications for the Communications Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa (CRASA) since 2022. Prior to CRASA, he started off his career with the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) in 2007 as Frequency Management Scientist, and had worked in various roles in frequency monitoring, technology and industry research, licensing and consumer protection.

Mr Kiroga holds a master’s degree in Competition and Market Regulation from Barcelona Graduate School of Economics and a Master’s degree in Computer Science (in Networks and Distributed Systems) from the University of St Andrews in Scotland. And a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.

Siya Madyibi is the Executive Director responsible for Microsoft’s Corporate, External and Legal Affairs (CELA) in South Africa. His work today is focused on supporting Microsoft’s sales and business operations in SA and helping customers both public and private sector to navigate novel regulatory and policy issues that have surfaced as a result of the transition from traditional, on-premise software solutions to hyperscale cloud and digital transformation services.

Mr Madyibi has over 15 years’ experience in telecommunications regulations and business development in the ICT sector. His career has taken him through iconic brands like ICASA, MTN, Internet Solutions and Cisco where he served in various capacities. In September 2016 he joined Microsoft as one of its Executive Directors a position that gave him a diverse and broad portfolio which saw him lead critical business functions like Legal, Corporate Affairs, country transformation and localization including Microsoft Philanthropies and local investments. Throughout his experience, Siya has developed insights into sales programs and commercial agreements for traditional software and cloud services. He is keenly aware of how compliance and data privacy issues have changed and continue to evolve at a global level.
Siya is a frequent speaker on the role of trust and compliance in cloud services and

A passion for people is what saw MultiChoice Botswana MD, Stephanie Pillay, trade her analytical role for a more customer-oriented one, as she forged a path into the world of customers. It’s this same passion, combined with her solid experience in crafting meaningful customer journeys, that Stephanie brings to her position as the guiding light at MultiChoice Botswana.

A Bachelor of Commerce Honours graduate with a flair for mathematics and statistics, she was placed as the top 15% of graduates at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. Starting her career in the finance sector at TransUnion SA and later at the Absa Group. There her roles evolved from Analytical Consultant to Optimisation specialists and Digital manager in the Credit card division to managing portfolio’s within the Banks Retail business bank with end to end accountability.

But it was her position as Head of Customer Experience in the Retail business bank division that began to shape her inherent people skills. “I love working with people, and this is where my passion really evolved,” she explains. Pairing her highly analytical background and attention to detail as she builds meaningful moments that build customer loyalty and business profitability.

Stephanie Pillay was responsible for developing the customer experience strategy across the everyday banking cluster of products; monitoring and enhancing performance that drove improvements in business performance and customer experience; and strengthening stakeholder perceptions and experience.

One of the most important initiatives she oversaw was the design and implementation of a service blueprint for the Absa Group’s customer experience teams, the implementation of the first Retention team within the banks Transactional business and business turnaround as she is known for driving growth and profitability. She is known for mobilising and motivating teams to achieve success by building a shared vision.

These strong, customer-focused responsibilities primed Ms Pillay for her new path, and after 16 years in the high-performance South African finance sector, she took up the position of Regional Head CX and Care: Southern Markets at MultiChoice Africa.

For the next year Ms Pillay focused on developing the customer experience strategy across the continent with specific emphasis on operationalising the southern markets. She initiated and implemented the customer lifecycle concept and a roadmap to enable the business to deliver best-in-class customer experiences, while managing and supporting the markets to achieve these ambitions. She also crafted and led all customer experience improvement initiatives within the region.

It was only natural that Ms Pillay’s now finely tuned skills needed a bigger stage. That came in the form of her appointment as MD of MultiChoice Botswana in 2022.

Ms Pillay brought her passion for people and creating powerful customer experiences to the table, and focused her attention on prioritising both the broadcaster’s customers and the people who serve them.

“I believe in creating a safe space to help staff grow and develop, so that one day they can hold leadership positions. My role is to motivate our people, guide them and inspire them. Part of that is putting on the right pressure at the right time, to get things done, but one can’t take that approach all the time. I prefer to lead with positive influence and to model behaviours. I behave how I expect my teams to behave, and lead by example,” says Ms Pillay.

Ms Pillay has set her sights on transforming MultiChoice Botswana into a powerhouse, leading the way in world-renowned video entertainment and world-class customer experiences.

Tebogo Mmoshe is the Director, Licensing at Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA), the position she assumed in 2021. Her main role is to facilitate the licensing of all sectors regulated by BOCRA being Postal, Broadcasting, Internet and ICT.

Ms Moshe’s experience spans 12 years in communications regulation as a member of BOCRA family. She has 18 years of experience in the Accounting and Auditing in various sectors of Botswana.

Ms Moshe was admitted as a Chartered Accountant in 2006 and was awarded an MBA by University of Derby in 2013. She is a Fellow Member of the Botswana Institute of Chartered Accountants (BICA). At National level, she was appointed as one of the founding Board Members of Botswana Geoscience Institute since 2016.

Mr Tefo Modise Setlhare has been appointed Chairperson of the Board of Directors. He has more than 20 year’s experience in corporate and commercial law, non-bank financial services and mining.

He joined Debswana Diamond Company in 2014 as Head of Risk Management and transitioned to the role he currently holds of leading the Entrepreneurship & Enterprise Development Programme (EEDP), which has successfully delivered the following;

Supplier entrepreneurship development
Employees entrepreneurship development
Outsourcing & Privatisation
Naledi Mining Services Company (a Debswana a subsidiary)
Mr Setlhare has held several Board positions including Trustee of Debswana Pension Fund, Chairperson of Sesiro Insurance Company and Independent Non-Executive Director at BPOMAS.

He holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Botswana, Master of Laws from the University of South Africa and has completed a management programme with the University of Stellenbosch Business School, senior executive programmes with Gordon Institute of Business Science and Harvard Business School.

Thabo Makenete is the Head of Public Policy, Southern Africa Region at Meta, managing key policy areas across the SADC region. Mr Makenete’s experience in the tech sector spans a period of over 25 years, in areas of telecommunications, broadcasting and online platforms. He has led regulatory and policy initiatives in both the private and public sectors. Mr Makenete’s expertise are widely recognized, having served as the Chairperson of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), served in the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa’s (ICASA) Joint Spectrum Advisory Group and various South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) Technical Committees. Additionally, he was involved in the Digital Migration Advisory Council in South Africa and led a team that successfully negotiated positions at the WRC-19 and WRC-23.

Mr Makenete’s educational background is in Electrical/Electronics Engineering, with a specialization in Digital and Communication Systems, Information and Communications Technology Management and Business Management; which have equipped him with a unique blend of technical, engineering and management skills. This knowledge complements his expertise in the policy realm, allowing him to approach complex issues with a well-rounded perspective.

Thandi Smith has worked for Media Monitoring Africa for about 12 years and is currently Head of Programmes for the organisation. She previously headed the Policy & Quality Programme which focused on a range of issues including media policy, regulation, digital rights, internet governance, and quality journalism. She holds a Masters degree in Media Studies, obtained from the University of the Witswatersrand. Her dissertation examined issues of universal access in South Africa’s digital migration. She also obtained an Honours degree in Media Studies from the same institution. Thandi has a keen interest in research around new media, internet governance and media law.

Beyond music, Scar has extended his versatile skills to various media platforms. He has made guest appearances in renowned
productions such as Big Brother Africa and the Annual Miss Botswana pageant, captivating audiences with his wit and charm.
Additionally, Scar played a significant role in the 2009 Road to MTV Africa Music Awards held in Nairobi, Kenya, leaving a
lasting impression with his engaging and entertaining performances.

Scar has showcased his exceptional talent as an incredible radio host. He has held prime time slots on the popular radio station,
Yarona FM. Through his captivating personality and engaging interviews, Scar has captivated listeners and made a lasting
impact on the airwaves. His ability to connect with people and create an enjoyable listening experience has further solidified his
position as a versatile entertainer. Whether on stage, television, or the radio, Scar continues to shine brightly in the entertainment industry, leaving a lasting impression on all who have the pleasure of experiencing his talents.

As a testament to his versatility, Scar has ventured into the world of podcasting, hosting his successful podcast named PODICAST, which has become one of the biggest in Botswana. Through this platform, he continues to connect with his audience, sharing insightful conversations, and showcasing his expertise in various fields, further expanding his influence.
Thato Matlhabaphiri, or Scar, stands as an iconic figure in Botswana’s entertainment industry, inspiring countless individuals
through his music and podcasting endeavors. His talent, charisma, and dedication have made him a beloved and
respected influencer, leaving an enduring legacy in the hearts and minds of many.

Bio coming soon ….