Molokomme eyes new horizons
Mbongeni Mguni | Thursday July 16, 2026 09:47
Mmegi: We meet as you leave G4S Botswana after five years at the helm. How was the journey?
Molokomme: It was an exciting challenge moving from a completely new and different industry in a leadership role - the journey has been punctuated by both ups and downs as it's expected of business.
Firstly within a few months of my tenure we experienced cash heists which was unprecedented especially to the level where they were at. Solutioning for this was an big task, getting together as industry from security, the banking sector and law enforcement and that resulted in the current arrangement wherein some cash assets are moved only with police escorts. It's still a challenge from a cost perspective and generally timing view.
My team and I would then also face the full wrath of the CEE legislation on the business, losing contracts based on the ownership of the company despite the group being listed on the local bourse with a considerable citizen shareholding.
The upside to it was that we became innovative and were able to capture more of the private sector market - the result was that from 2021 to the most recent performance we have grown topline every single year.
Other notable aspects of course was the regret that with the economic downturn experienced over the last few years the business has suffered losses (mostly due to impairments as a result of bad debts) a clear indicator of the economic hardships that our customers were going through. The resultant factor was that we could not then pay dividends to our shareholders.
The good news is that we initiated a turnaround strategy with the board and the indicator in our most recent results is the significant loss clawback that shows that we are not too far from turning into profitability.
I have also had a fulfilling journey with the teams I have both built and worked with throughout my tenure there.
Mmegi: You moved to G4S from years at Distell. Aren't these two completely different sectors or what similarities do you see in the experience?
Molokomme: They are completely different - one being a product industry and the other a service industry. But ultimately as a business leader the performance metrics are generally the same - deliver on business growth both revenue and ultimately profitability so you get on with the mandate.
In terms of similarities is that you have an overlay of the customers that you would have dealt with previously especially in the business to business arena so you are able to continue on the network one would have built.
From a customer point of view is whether you deliver value regardless of industry. Other stakeholders also come into play in terms of government partners and the private sector and with G4S being a listed entity dealing with the stock exchange which was not the case at Distell.
Mmegi: We understand you may be constrained from commenting on your former position, which is also a listed company, but perhaps share your views on the industry in general, its opportunities, pain points and current climate?
Molokomme: Yes we are entering a closed period for the company's 2026 half year results so the view is mostly a general one. The industry is of course very challenging - for example much like insurance - customers are more encouraged to take up our security services based on lived experiences - rise in crime, past personal encounters etc. So business development is more challenging especially on the business to customer front.
From a B2B side, margins are very tight due to competition. So one needs to differentiate themselves which is our competitive advantage. We don't necessarily compete on price but on value proposition which has led to the success we have had.
On the downside, due to the economic downturn many clients are unable to afford servicing their accounts leading to cash flow difficulties across many businesses, ourselves included.
Mmegi: Every industry and sector is being disrupted by AI and we are once again facuing adapt or die. How is AI interfacing with the security industry in general and is it really an issue thus far for Botswana?
Molokomme: I think the advent of AI is an exciting development. For us at group level there are initiatives already in place where AI has been developed to advance security interventions - initiatives such as predictive analytics are able to discern probability of crime being committed in a certain area by tracking behaviour and certain thresholds will determining proactive intervention to be able to curb occurrence.
However in Africa as a whole we are still a bit out from adopting such due to lack of enablers. I do foresee this coming through in our markets in the not too distant future. The main question would perhaps be whether there is appetite from potential customers to pay for it but for sure the cost-benefit analysis should be able to persuade adoption. Mmegi: You've stepped down from G4S Botswana. What comes next?
Molokomme: I leave the group at the end of July 2026 which will be the end of my contractual three months’ notice. I will take a break for a couple of weeks and start off a new and exciting role in a different industry at the beginning of September.