LONG WALK TO THE TOP

PERHAPS the best word to describe Mompoloki Lerumo Mogobe is multifaceted.

When he’s not in court fighting for justice, he is a serial entrepreneur and property investor whose name you have probably seen plastered over Mogobe Plaza in Gaborone’s CBD.

Despite being born in a generation where modern technology was still very much in its infancy, Mogobe has adapted with the times, as evidenced by his popular podcast, ‘Mogobe Nuggets of Wisdom’ - a platform that seeks to inspire and empower entrepreneurs of all stripes in Botswana and beyond.

The Voice’s LEUNGO MOKGWATHI met up with Mogobe at his impressive offices in the heart of the capital city to find out how this man of humble beginnings became the success he is today.

For our readers who have not heard of you, please introduce yourself.

Mompoloki Lerumo Mogobe is a serial entrepreneur who practises as a lawyer, property investor and recently a Youtuber with a podcast called ‘Nuggets of Wisdom’. I was born in Kanye village.

What type of law do you practise?

I like Commercial Law, but because of the nature of our market, I could not specialise. My Master’s Degree was on The Law of International Trade and Banking. I thought I would specialise in Banking Law but, when I came home from my studies, it wasn’t easy to get work so I realised that I could not specialise. My law firm [Lerumo Mogobe Legal Practitioners] specialises in debt collection, litigation, matrimonial work and, occasionally, we have a system of pro bono cases. By the way, when it comes to Criminal Law, everyone I have represented on the criminal side has walked. My principle is that I am here to win!

Guess I know who to call if I’m ever in trouble! Let’s travel back in time to where it all began - take us through your childhood.

During my formative years, from one to 10 years, my parents were apart and I lived with my mother. At one point, my mother sent me to Kanye to stay with my grandparents. That experience was very crucial in my life because it taught me certain things, mainly to get used to hard conditions. In those days, standpipes were not available in every ward so my grandmother would make me travel really long distances to get water.

In addition, every Friday my cousins and I would go on some form of pilgrimage to Mmakatanyane, a cattlepost that belonged to my late grandfather. It was about 30km away from Matsaakgang Primary School where I went. You can imagine what it was like, travelling 30km on foot, especially in winter. I still have images in my head from when my feet bled from the calluses. After my parents reconciled at age 10, I was then introduced to a new cattlepost, Mmahumalebe, which was 80km beyond Jwaneng where I was introduced to other challenges.

As difficult as it was, those experiences toughened me up and I actually really enjoyed my childhood.