BNSC CEO appointment imminent—Kelebeng
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday December 8, 2025 06:00
This follows a prolonged recruitment process which started in May, when the office bearer, Tuelo Serufho's contract expired. Eyes have been on the BNSC to make the substantive appointment after Makuke Makuke served as interim CEO since Serufho's departure. Makuke was given a six-month contract, which has since been renewed as the hunt for a permanent officer continues. “The appointment will be made anytime, either in December or January, and let the process unfold itself. What I know is that the process is on, as to who will be appointed, we will know when it is complete,” Kelebeng said.
For his part, BNSC Board chairperson, Marumo Morule, said citing the BNSC Act, the CEO is appointed by the minister in consultation with the board.
He explained that consultations are ongoing and will be concluded soon, with the appointment announced thereafter.
“Appointment of a CEO is a delicate process; it takes time, but we are hopeful that it will be concluded this month.
“Operating with an interim CEO has its own dynamics, even personally,” Morule said.
There has been speculation as to who will land the post, with names of Botswana Football Association (BFA) CEO, Mfolo Mfolo, former BFA head of competition and operations, Olebile Sikwane, and The Association For International Sport for All senior manager, Game Mothibi, mentioned amongst the frontrunners.
Meanwhile, as the new principal leader is appointed, there are some elements that the National Sport Associations are expecting.
Botswana Rugby Union secretary-general, Osi Kopano, told MmegiSport that BNSC needs a commercially sharp, financially disciplined, sport-savvy turnaround specialist who has successfully run a business and a sport entity before, but with stronger corporate credentials.
“Anything less, and the BNSC will continue its cycle of scandal. I agree that the minister should be involved in the appointment of the CEO because BNSC is a statutory body, 100% funded by taxpayer money. The CEO is classified as a ‘D1’ scale public officer equivalent,” he said.
“All such appointments require ministerial approval under the Public Service Act. Parliament, especially the Public Accounts Committee and the Auditor General, will hold the minister accountable if another financial scandal erupts under a ‘wrong’ CEO.”
Kopano noted that between 2018 and 2024, the then-minister (Tumiso Rakgare) was perceived to be ‘too hands off’. There were also concerns over procurement issues, and the minister was grilled by Parliament, he observed.
For his part, Basketball president, Mothusi Thipe said the new CEO must be a sport landscape expert, who is familiar with the domestic and international sport scenes.
He said the CEO must have commercial acumen, proven business commercial enterprise.
“The incoming CEO must be someone who has an economic contributor mindset, a deep understanding that sport must actively contribute to the GDP.
“The individual must have a financial restructuring focus, the commitment to significantly improve the National Federations' funding model, eliminating reliance on minimal grants,” Thipe said.