Businesses urged to embed inclusion in strategies
Itumeleng Suping | Wednesday November 5, 2025 06:25
The call was made by a senior official of Debswana Diamond Company last week when officiating at the Banana Cub Economic Forum 2025, held under the theme, 'Inclusive Business Practices; Key Strategies For Growth'. Senior Manager – Cultural Transformation, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging at the diamond miner, Kefilwe Mokone, shared her perspective on inclusive leadership, noting that the company takes pride in promoting diversity. “As leaders, when we talk about inclusion, it should reflect what society looks like. At Debswana, we are really proud to be part of this diversity. Diamonds cannot alone diversify the economy but require strong partnerships from all Batswana at large,” she said. “I would love to see the government partaking in such initiatives towards diversifying the economy. We therefore must invert inclusion into the core of our everyday business as it expands innovation.’’ Mokone emphasized the responsibilities of leaders in shaping inclusive cultures. “Leaders actually set the tone as a business owner; how do you actually translate that innovation? It starts with being intentional about inclusion,’’ she said. Participants stressed that inclusion is not just a moral imperative but a business necessity.
“We must embed inclusion into the core of our business. Inclusion expands innovation,” one attendant said during a panel discussion. The panel discussions explored how diverse, when empowered, can lead to more creative, dynamic, and profitable enterprises. Another speaker, Letlhogonolo Moremi, a board member of Botswana Trans, shared a personal reflection on representation, stating, ‘’marketing generations reflect the society, society is very different in my view. What we see and what we consume is very much influential to what we believe.’’ He called for visibility and empowerment, especially for marginalised groups, adding, “It is time for us to elevate what we can do because we are an amazing group of people.” “We cannot build the economy if we are treating certain people, being the LGBTQ, certain way,’” he added. Executive Director at Queer Work, Bokang Tane, explained what they do to ensure inclusion. “We need to see that we have to train the community around pitching business ideas, project ideas. It is necessary to be fully equipped to carry out such a community,” he said. Discussions also focused on practical strategies to advance inclusion within organisations. “It starts with deliberate structure- organisational structure to be exact,” Tane explained.
“Then, a strategy that supports your structure and policies that deliberately support development.” “Masculinity- a gay man who displays negative masculinity is the same as a straight man who despises gay people,” Tane noted, urging for mutual respect and understanding across all communities at large. The forum brought together leaders, entrepreneurs, and change makers to talk over how inclusion can be embedded at the core of business strategies to drive sustainable growth and innovation. It underscored that inclusive business practices are not just about fairness, but about unlocking economic potential, driving innovation, and building markets that truly serve everyone.