The newly elected president of Botswana, President Mokgweetsi Masisi is on a different path in achieving a successful governance in his tenure, having
The newly elected president of Botswana, President Mokgweetsi Masisi is on a different path in achieving a successful governance in his tenure, having elected a young female minister into his cabinet as the head of the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry, 30-year-old Bogolo Joy Kenewendo. Her appointment is a confirmation of the President’s promise, who has pledged to invest in the country’s youth and create job opportunities for them.
Prior to her appointment as Minister, she worked as a trade economist in the Ministry of Trade and Industry in Ghana, where she once lived. Bogolo holds a MSc of International Economics from the University of Sussex and a B.A in Economics from Botswana University. She has also served in other platforms including as Botswana youth delegates to the 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly, where she was assigned the responsibility of presenting a statement of African Youth to the Secretary General of the United Nations.
Having been appointed as member of parliament by the ex-president of Botswana, Ian Khama, her current appointment as a Minister is considered by many Africans as an uncommon progress that should be replicated all over the continent. She is being celebrated on social media by many Africans, who say her appointment despite her age is a rare feat that needs to be replicated across the continent.
But who really is Bogolo Joy Kenewendo? The youthful minister is passionate about development, poverty eradication, reducing inequalities and empowering women and youth. She founded Molaya Kgosi, a women leadership and mentorship programme which was inspired by the young African women leaders’ forum which was hosted by Michelle Obama in 2011.
She was one of two youth delegates to represent Botswana at the 64th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, where she presented a statement of African youth to the UN Secretary General. When she is not making history as a young achiever, Kenewendo spends her time travelling, doing yoga, reading and has previously said ‘a tall glass of wine with a friend always does the trick’.
