Through the dark, to the dawn

Pius Molefe
Pius Molefe

Botswana Building Society’s 46,000 members last Friday cast their votes in favour of potentially transforming their 38-year-old organisation into a commercial company, a landmark vote that could create the country’s first indigenous bank. Staff Writer, MBONGENI MGUNI, traces BBS’ undulating path, from profitable solitude, tortuous overcrowding and beyond

While he has only been in office for 14 years and at the helm for 10, Pius Molefe is the face of the Botswana Building Society (BBS), striking a stern if not intimidating glare out of the numerous newspaper pages that have chronicled his battles on behalf of the organisation over the years.

Indeed, in the last decade the Society has experienced the most trying times of its history, with legal tussles against government and key shareholders, only complicating the pressures inherent in attempting to extract profit from an anachronistic business model. While most famous for tackling government and, later, two powerful shareholders, Molefe’s real achievement is in sowing the seeds of an idea that blossomed with last Friday’s unanimous vote.

Editor's Comment
Stakeholders must step up veggie supply

The Ministry of Agriculture, local producers, retailers, and industry associations must work together to overcome the obstacles hindering vegetable production and distribution.This collaborative approach is essential to improve the availability, quality, and affordability of vegetables in the market.Firstly, the Ministry of Agriculture should provide support and guidance to local farmers to enhance their productivity and efficiency. This could...

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