Ntsima believes it was his sojourn at varsity that honed his interest in public affairs, leadership and social justice. At Parliament, reports quote him as calm, factual, and avoiding combative language. But, beneath tranquillity and unobtrusiveness lies a robust and erudite debater. “My biggest influence in politics was the conviction that politics must be used as a vehicle to improve people’s lives, especially young people, entrepreneurs and ordinary communities who often feel left out of decision-making,” he tells Mmegi. His later work with civil society, youth organisations and community development deepened that calling. His private-sector and consultancy experience helped him grasp the practical challenges faced by businesses: compliance, company registration, governance, finance, market access, and strategy. As a senior business consultant at Brandbucket Investments, he worked closely with clients on company registration, strategy, marketing and company secretarial work.
It was, in fact, that experience that shaped his credence that government must make it easier, not harder, for citizens to start, establish, and grow businesses. Being part of the 13th Parliament has given Ntsima a sturdier platform to serve Francistown East and Botswana at large. “I now have the opportunity to raise constituency issues nationally while also contributing to policy reforms as Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship. I currently serve as both Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship and Member of Parliament for Francistown East,” illuminated Ntsima. Articulating the strength of his primary political home, the Botswana Peoples Party (BPP) of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), he traces it to “presence, history, humility and consistent engagement”. He is steadfast that Francistown has always been politically conscious, and the BPP has deep roots in the area. “Under the UDC, people saw a credible alternative that spoke to jobs, dignity, accountability and change. The 2024 General Election results showed that residents wanted a new direction after many years of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) dominance in the constituency.” He is upbeat that even if President Duma Boko could call elections tomorrow, he and his party will win. “Yes, I believe we can win, but not because we take voters for granted.
