Africa Economic Council launched in Botswana

because of the industry that we serve it’s key that we have the requisite skill set so that we can be able to evaluate and identify the best hygiene requirements for our clients.

BG: As a company, what strategic relationships do you have which are relevant to your growth strategy?

BK: Currently, we have strategic relationship with GeoChem ( Pty) Ltd as the manufacturers of specialized chemicals to be an agent for these products to widen our product range. This relationship helps us to be able to serve markets such as hospitality, healthcare, food processing industries such as abattoirs, bakeries, butcheries, industrial kitchens, restaurants and industrial and commercial laundries. This partnership further enables our sales staff to be trained by Geochem on Client servicing process to ensure high levels of customer satisfaction.

BG: How important is good corporate governance to a company like Braintec?

BK: Good Corporate Governance is critical for any business, not only Braintec. This is a system of rules that allows effective and efficient operation of our business. It allows us to balance the interest of our company with that of our varied stakeholders such as Botswana Government, Shareholders, Customers, Regulators and Suppliers. This system further provides sufficient guidance for attaining our company’s set objectives and makes it easier to execute action plans, enforce controls and easy performance measurement.

BG: Government has come up with a list of some sub- sectors of the economy which are reserved for citizen- owned companies only. How important is this initiative?

BK: Any effort by government to empower its citizens is always welcome, if that will come in a form of reserving cleaning services to reserving licensing of cleaning companies to citizens only. Currently, Botswana Government only awards tenders for cleaning services to 100percent citizen owned companies.

BG: Some cleaning companies have made it big ever since the COVID - 19 pandemic took centre stage. Is Braintec part of this lot?

BK: Since our business has always been in the hygiene space, our operations did not change except that there was increased competition from emerging cleaning companies. Our focus has always been on sustainability and that’s what we put our stance on. We have made it big in the lessons learnt on, how to persevere through challenges, accommodating complex customer needs during emergencies and prioritising staff welfare during difficult times.

BG: Where do we see the company in the next decade?

BK: I envision Braintec being recognised as the leading and most trusted hygiene supplies and cleaning services provider who consistently caters for customers’ personalised needs. Our continued professional and quality service provision will guarantee us client satisfaction. Some of our major plans in the pipeline include brand awareness building, efficiency, increasing client satisfaction, employee growth and community engagement. All these fall within our five- year strategic plan. Having seen the swift expansion of our business in the past few years, there is absolutely no reason to doubt the possibility of our goal becoming true. We look forward to the next ten years of sustained growth and success.

ABG: The company is headquartered in Gaborone. Are there plans to open branches outside the city?

BK: Yes, it is true we are only in Gaborone, but we have a satellite station in Francistown where frica Economic leadership orders on the northern part of the country are Council aims to enhance the shipped for dispatch across the entire northern economic leadership in the part of the country. Furthermore, where an order continent through entrepreneurship is of a large quantity, we have an inhouse transcollaborations and development. portation to ensure safe delivery of the order. In The company which is founded future, as the business grows, our strategy is to by two African businessmen from first open a branch where frequent demand of South Africa and Namibia seeks to our products is high as well as identify potential impact the manner in which entreor growing demand areas so that we can market preneurs engage with one another, our products and create demand in those paras well as to create a global network ticular areas. through which meaningful collabo

ration can be fostered. Launching

BG: We understand the company is also into the company in Botswana on Tuesmanufacturing. What kind of products do you produce?

BK: I am glad to state that, our business has started manufacturing different cleaning chemicals which are of high quality. Some of the products, that we manufacture include, but not limited to, hand soap, multi- purpose cleaner, engine degreaser, dishwashing liquid, sanitiser, pine gel, to name but a few. day AELC Co- founder Heinrich Hafeni said they were inspired by the African Union Agenda 2063, ‘ The Africa We Want’ and the launch of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement. The company has already started operations in four Countries including South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho and Botswana.

“We are launching here in Botswana as our fourth country since establishment last year.

We want to have offices across all African countries. Collectively we will contribute to the increase of trade in Africa.” He said their aim is to double trade in the next five years by working with a multisector approach.

“We engage with private business leaders, entrepreneurs and political leaders throughout the continent to shape the current policies and infrastructure.” Through organised business seminars and membership subscriptions entrepreneurs will be able to access global markets and be better positioned to capitalize on possible opportunities. Members will enjoy benefits of trainings, business to business matchmaking events quarterly and funding and exhibition opportunities. Hafeni highlighted that they believe that with AELC support, businesses will be better equipped to make the leap from local to global ensuring that essential funding can reach entrepreneurs even in rural and remote areas.

“As an organization, we are committed to helping entrepreneurs navigate the challenges often faced by businesses when they seek to grow their footprint beyond their local economies. AELC will provide its members with the tools to circumvent these barriers to entry by creating platforms for development and collaboration.”

Job Title: Head of Projects Requisition ID: 1233 Location: Gaborone

Debswana Diamond Company would like to invite suitably qualified innovative, results oriented and self- driven individuals to apply for the position listed and described below and join a professional team driven by service excellence, where the demands of the business are met by encouraging team work and addressing the needs of the individual.

Purpose of the role

To formulate and execute the overall Projects strategy aligned with the Debswana’s Strategic Business Plan ( SBP) and provide functional visible felt leadership.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, contributes to the setting of the overall Debswana’s strategy including the identification, definition and prioritizing of supporting initiatives and programmes across the full range of Projects activities.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Formulates and executes the overall Projects strategy aligned with the

Debswana’s Strategic Business Plan.

• Reviews and renews strategic plan with Operational Executive Committee. • Leads Projects overall accountability for the Business Unit Project function and provides high level strategic, governance and functional leadership across all major Business Unit projects, including Stay in Business projects. • Facilitates capital efficiency improvement and project delivery across the

function.

• Provides functional leadership for the Projects disciplines across the Business Unit and provides strategic advice on project development and execution.

• Ensures project governance through suitable procedures and systems and monitors the performance of all major projects, proactively identifying potential issues early and advising on corrective actions.

• Works with each Portfolio Manager and Senior Project Controls Manager to

provide an independent view and review of project performance

• Reviews the functional procedures and systems and improves where appropriate, focusing particularly on major project procedures where appropriate.

• Key member of each Project Steering Committee, and facilitates the sharing of best practice and learning across the Business Unit, drawing upon knowledge of both the internal and external environment

• Participates actively in the Business Unit’ workforce planning and talent management processes, ensuring the Business Unit has appropriate levels of project capability to successfully develop and deliver project goals. • Ensures effective communication channels between projects, operations and all supporting disciplines to ensure effective integration and alignment of purpose.

• Provides visible felt leadership and leads the Projects team to provide the Business with effective strategic, tactical, and operational support across the full range of Projects streams.

• Leads and develops the performance of the team in line with the Business performance management system and company values, in order to achieve objectives

• Articulates and exemplifies the organization ethics and values related to

business practices, employee relations and social responsibilities • Develops frameworks and manages the implementation of and adherence

to legal and corporate governance principle/ requirements

• Responsible for and manages the overall Functional safety, health and the

environmental programme in line with organizational strategy and objectives • Builds relationship across the Debswana pipeline by sharing business

information and knowledge management

• Establishes and maintains business partner relationships with all internal and external key stakeholders to facilitate the optimal functioning of the business

• Actively pursues a standardized companywide approach around the exchange and protection of information between Group of Companies and individuals to ensure effective knowledge management according to organizational objectives

• Manages the key subordinate’s effectiveness areas by setting, monitoring

and reviewing performance and taking remedial action as necessary • Oversees the implementation of the functional talent management initiatives

by ensuring the right competency and effectiveness of manpower

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mining Engineering or equivalent

Experience

• 12 years post qualification experience in production and project management,

with at least 4 years at management level

• Must have open pit and underground senior level management experience • Experience in the design and construction of underground hard rock mines

in Africa would be advantageous

• Must have worked on large capital projects and able to demonstrate success • Multi – commodity and geographic exposure will be an added advantage • Demonstrated experience of being involved in, and preferably leading,

business improvement programmes and project management • Demonstrated ability to interface successfully with multiple organizational

levels

Legal Certification/ Professional Registration

• Registration with Engineering Registration Board ( ERB) or equivalent

Technical Competencies

• Project Portfolio Management

• Business case Evaluation

• Project Portfolio Management

• Project Organization and Human Resource Management • Commercial Risk Management

• Project Control Management

• Data Integration

• Cost Control/ Engineering

• Planning and Scheduling

• Document and Information Management

• Stakeholder and Communication Management

• Project Change Management

• Project Design and Engineering Management

• Project Direction and Support

Behavioral Competencies

• Achievement Orientation

• Building Organizational Capability

• Building Partnerships

• Business Acumen

• Change Leadership

• Concern for Safety, Health and the Environment

• Impact & Influence

• Integrity

• Managing Performance and Holding People Accountable • Strategic Orientation