Letshego makes strides in gender parity, CEO says
Staff Writer | Wednesday March 11, 2026 10:46
CEO Van der Merwe shared the insights recently during a panel discussion at the Botswana Stock Exchange Limited (BSEL) March Opening Bell Ceremony held ahead of International Women’s Day. The event was held under the theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls.” Now in her sixth month as LAHL Group CEO, Van der Merwe said that while some women have been able to work their way into leadership positions, supportive policies and legislation remain crucial in ensuring equal opportunities. She noted that women often face challenges that can hinder career progression, including balancing professional responsibilities with motherhood.
She emphasised that support systems within families and communities are key to ensuring equal opportunities for men and women. “If it doesn’t start at home, in schools and at grassroots levels, it’s not going to happen,” Van der Merwe said. “We need to change things at the grassroots level and also through company and national policies so that opportunities are truly equal.” Van der Merwe added that women sometimes feel discouraged when studies show men possessing more work-related skills in certain sectors. “What needs to be done is to encourage women and support them in those roles. Women need to start supporting each other and working together in the same way men often do,” she said.
Director of Inbound Media, Gofaone Modise who was panel moderator, asked the panellists to reflect on women’s representation and how empowerment can move beyond discussion. Another panellist, Mothei Mokgedi, Product Development Specialist at the BSE, said women should embrace their unique qualities rather than feeling pressured to adopt traditionally masculine leadership styles. She also encouraged the use of social bonds, financial instruments designed to raise capital for social development initiatives. “We should think about intentional collaborations and how we can leverage such instruments to benefit society so that next year we come back with results, not just discussions,” said Mokgedi.
For her part, Una Munamati, representing the CFA Society South Africa, noted that Botswana already has a number of female CEOs and gender-balanced executive teams in the private sector, although more progress is still needed. She emphasised the importance of early education and shifting societal attitudes. “More can be done in schools to educate children and their families that it is acceptable for men to take on household responsibilities such as cooking,” she said. Meanwhile, Dr. Godisang Mookodi, Senior Lecturer at the University of Botswana, said greater representation of women in leadership and policymaking remains essential. She added that addressing issues such as gender-based violence and empowering women requires challenging traditional approaches and adopting more innovative solutions.