Dr Malebogo Bakwena is a 2021 Strategic African Women in Leadership (SAWIL) trailblazer finalist. As an economist, seasoned leader and strategist, her record of achievement in excellent project delivery has resulted in measurable benefits to organisations such as the Botswana Competition and Consumer Authority, the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC), the University of Botswana (UB), and the central bank of Botswana.
As a leader, Malebogo wears different hats. She is currently the head of the Department of Economics at the University of Botswana; board chairperson of the Botswana Competition and Consumer Authority; and board member of the central bank of Botswana where she is also the chairperson of the Human Resource Committee of the Board. She also serves as the chairperson of the Core and Electives Committee of the Collaborative Masters Programme and Collaborative PhD Programme of the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC), in Nairobi, Kenya. She is also a co-editor of the Botswana Journal of Economics.
As an avid researcher, she has undertaken policy-based research projects focused on finding solutions to Botswana’s socio-economic issues such as youth unemployment, poverty and gender inequalities. In this regard, she has consulted for several organisations such as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MFED) on these issues. She was recently the deputy team leader for a project that secured a grant from the Partnership for Economic Policy (PEP). The project culminated in several policy documents on localisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Gabane village, the dynamics of youth unemployment, among others.
She is passionate about empowering and nurturing young people. Over the years she has mentored several young people through engagement in organisations such as the Botswana SOS Children’s Village and the Girls for Girls (G4G) mentorship programme. In addition, she has been a benefactor of young girls in Botswana schools, such as the Tutume McConnell College and Sesung Primary School. Her mentorship is also notable in several research projects that she worked on with junior researchers not only from the University of Botswana but other local and international universities. Her student mentoring and advisory skills have consistently played themselves out in the successful mentoring of students in UB’s Department of Economics on academic and non-academic matters including close research supervision at undergraduate and graduate levels.
In this woman of the month interview, Dr Malebogo Bakwena speaks on youth development and women in leadership.
You are quite prominent in the economics, leadership, and the educational space, was this what you envisioned for yourself?
Not really. Before national service, I aspired to follow a career in a natural science field such as a wildlife biologist or paediatrician. However, I changed my mind due to my first-hand experiences of the socio-economic needs of fellow Batswana in remote areas during my national service year in a rural village in the Kgalagadi district.
How has your background and experience helped you in tackling the socio-economic issues you have worked on?
During my early childhood I went to school with less privileged children who would have to miss school because of a lack of basic necessities such as sanitary towels, shoes in the winter, full uniform and sometimes had to rely on the school feeding programme for a decent nutritious meal. Unfortunately in many cases, these kids had to drop out and missed out on the available opportunity to take advantage of the (free) education. This has always driven me to delve deeper into socio-economic issues.
You are an avid researcher, and one who is empowering and nurturing young people. What informed this decision?
The quest to carry out research that matters in the everyday lives of fellow Batswana and the desire to give back to Batswana for having contributed (through government scholarships) to the education that my parents would have otherwise not afforded me.
In your opinion, what are some of the key challenges youths currently face especially in Africa?
Youth unemployment mainly due to limited opportunities and lack of skills.
How important is mentorship, especially in your field and how has mentorship helped you personally in your career growth?
Mentorship helps instil confidence and courage to break glass ceilings. One learns from those who have done it before and is able to avoid common pitfalls. In my field, it’s important to be mentored especially when it comes to building a research profile and sourcing research funding. Personally, mentoring has helped me gain confidence in my ability to lead, to source research funding and has taught me the communication skills necessary to interact with different stakeholders.
How would you rate female leadership in Botswana and generally in Africa, are enough women steadily rising to positions of leadership?
In recent times in Botswana, we have seen a steady rise in women ascending to positions of leadership in both the public and private sectors. This year alone has seen the appointment of women to key strategic leadership positions such as the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, the Permanent Secretary to the President and the appointment of the first woman Commissioner General of the revenue authority. In my view, however, there is still room for improvement both in Botswana in particular and in Africa in general. A glaring example of an area where improvements can be made is in the political sphere, where, in Botswana women account for less than 10% of members of parliament, a figure well below the target set by the regional economic bloc, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) of 30%.
Making it as 2021 Strategic African Women in Leadership (SAWIL) trailblazer finalist is a remarkable feat, can you share some steps young women can take to scale the career ladder?
Be authentic. I would make two recommendations to young women. Firstly, young women must always remember that there is consensus reality and their individual reality. African society is always quick to remind women of their gender and expect women to behave in a certain (womanly) manner. Young women must always look up to other women who have done it before for inspiration. Secondly, young women should look to their male counterparts as partners, not rivals. In fact, I firmly believe that the majority of male counterparts are always ready to be of assistance, provided you are willing to ask for help. In other words, I truly believe asking for help does not make you weak or incompetent and instead shows you are human and are hungry to learn.
If you were given all the power to change one thing in your country, what would that be?
Inequality in any shape or form (income, gender, land distribution, etc).
Success is relative. What does it mean to you?
Pursuing one’s passion at the same time as making a positive contribution and adding value wherever you may be.
What do you take pride in?
Being able to pursue my career and educational aspirations, while maintaining a healthy home-work balance.
Just like Dr. Bakwena remember to #TakePrideDaily in who you are and what you do.