Magosi vies for SADC top job
The Office of the President says the Government of Botswana has decided to field Permanent Secretary to the President ( PSP) Elias Mpedi Magosi as Botswana’s candidate for the position of Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community ( SADC).
The position will become vacant in August 2021, as the term of office for the incumbent, Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax, will be coming to an end. Magosi is currently the PSP and Head of the Botswana Public Service, as well as Secretary to Botswana Cabinet. According to a statement from Andrew Sesinyi, Permanent Secretary- Government Communications, Botswana decided to field such a high- profile candidate to denote the country’s profound commitment to the values and principles for which SADC was established. Magosi holds a Master of Organisation Development Degree from the Bowling Green State University in the United States of America, Graduate Diploma in Management Services from the University of Bolton in the United Kingdom, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics/ Statistics from the University of Botswana.
“Botswana strongly holds the conviction that SADC is and will remain increasingly instrumental in the socio- economic and political development of the region. The Government of the Republic of Botswana is confident that, with his wealth of experience and leadership competencies acquired from both the public and private sectors, Magosi is well equipped to strengthen and play a pivotal role in the positive transformation of the regional body towards greater values of corporate governance, acceleration of regional integration and rapid development.
“He has a wealth of experience and requisite leadership competencies gained in executive management in both the public and private sectors, as well as within international organisations. Prior to being appointed PSP, Magosi served as Deputy Permanent Secretary to the President, from May 2018 to February 2020,” writes Sesinyi.
He said Magosi also served previously as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Communications, ( December 2016 to February 2017); and the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism, ( March 2015 to November 2016). He also served as the Coordinator of Public Service Reforms, Office of the President, from January 2004 to February 2007.
“Magosi poss e sses comprehens ive understanding and knowledge about the workings of SADC, having served as the Director of Human Resources and Administration at the SADC Secretariat, from March 2017 to April 2018. At the private sector level, Magosi served as the Cluster Head of Human Resources, Consumer Banking, Southern Africa, at Standard Chartered Bank Botswana, from January 2013 to October 2014; and, Group Head of Human Resources, at Botswana Insurance Holdings Limited, from July 2010 to December 2012,” reads the communique from Sesinyi.