Honourable Dr. Phenyo Butale
Honourable Dr. Phenyo Butale was appointed as the Minister of International Relations, on 11th November 2024. He is a seasoned policy maker who has served as a Member of Parliament for five years (2014-2019). In this capacity, Dr. Butale played a constructive role contributing to the national development agenda particularly through Committees that he served in such as, the ICT and Communication Committee, which among others, advances efforts aimed at building Botswana’s digital economy. He also held other Parliamentary portfolios, including being the Head of the Botswana delegation to the Pan African Parliament (PAP). During his tour at PAP, Dr. Butale led a number of delegations to various countries across the continent, to lobby for ratification of the Malabo Protocol that gives the PAP legislative powers. The Minister also led PAP delegations to the African Union Permanent Representative Council (PRC) to present and defend the Parliament's budget.
Following his first term in office, Honourable Butale embarked on International Consultancy work that saw him work closely with international bodies such as the Africa Forum which is a Council for Former African Heads of States. In this role, he attended and participated in international meetings, including the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Conference of Parties (COP) and the World Economic Forum (WEF), among others. In addition to his legislative work, Dr. Butale is an accomplished media practitioner with over ten years’ experience working in the media field.
Accordingly, he served as a Journalist with Botswana Television and Radio Botswana, where among others, he produced and presented national programs such as Around the World, which covers current geopolitical issues. Furthermore, while working in the media sector, he held various key leadership positions, including the post of National Director with the Media Institute of Southern Africa – Botswana Chapter (2011-2012). In this capacity, he played an instrumental role leading campaigns for the promulgation of laws that promote access to information.
The Honourable Minister has also worked with non-governmental organisations such the Freedom of Expression Institute – FXI, where he held the post of Executive Director (2013-2014). As a Pan-African scholar, he has contributed to research and publications on various Pan-African related issues. He has also participated in professional development programmes in the United States, in the fields of Communication and Governance. Honourable Butale holds a Doctorate Degree in English Literature from Stellenbosch University in South Africa, and is fluent in Setswana, English and French.
Dr. Farzam Kamalabadi
Founder & President, Future Trends Group
Dr. Farzam Kamalabadi
Founder & President, Future Trends Group
Dr. Farzam Kamalabadi is a world-renowned senior economic advisor and strategist, and the Founder and President of the Future Trends Group, with more than 35 years shaping cross-border trade and investment at mega scale, and economic policy and direction across China, the United States, the Middle East, Africa, and the West. Described by Chinese state media as "The Most Influential Foreign Figure in Modern China History," Dr. Kamalabadi has served as senior economic advisor to over 20 Chinese municipal and regional governments, and is the originating founder of the New Silk Road policy, the largest economic development program in the world.
His work sits close to the heart of supply chain and trade transformation. As one of many track records, Dr. Kamalabadi helped multiply China–Oman bilateral trade volume from 600 million US dollars to 11 billion US dollars in only five years, which led to his official appointment as the lifetime Honorary Consul of Oman directly by the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, among many other official mandates.
Dr. Kamalabadi is also known as the godfather of China's outbound investment, and the first person to bring sovereign wealth funds from the Gulf Cooperation Council, the GCC Arab states, into landmark investments in the Chinese banking system, the first ever in human history, including ICBC, the largest bank in the world, ABC Bank, CITIC Assets, and many other funds. He has further orchestrated hundreds of cross-sector transactions.
And now, his legendary, destiny-changing hands are focused on Africa, through the movement known as the Collective Peaceful Rise of Africa, activating the existing assets and resources of Africa, in Africa, by Africa, for Africa, and exporting its wealth and leadership to the global community.
Victoria Montwedi, CTP™️, CODP™️
CEO of Quantum-People and Organizational Development (Q-POD)
Victoria Montwedi, CTP™️, CODP™️
CEO of Quantum-People and Organizational Development (Q-POD)
Victoria Montwedi is the CEO of Quantum-People and Organizational Development (Q-POD), a training and consultancy company focused on skills and organisational development. She has 16 years of experience in the mining industry, with a Diploma in Mining Engineering and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Leadership and Change Management.
She started her career in mineral processing and later moved into human capital, specialising in skills development and organisational development. Her experience includes technical training, competency development, leadership and supervisory development, performance management, and talent development.
She brings a practical understanding of operations and the connection between people's capability and workplace performance.
Ms. Khumo Mosathupa
Ms. K. Mosathupa brings 19 years of extensive experience in strategic roles across major corporations such as ABI South Africa (now Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa) and Barloworld Logistics. Her expertise spans Supply Chain Management and Transport Economics.
She holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Transport Economics and Logistics Management and was selected by the Transport Education Training Authority (TETA) for the prestigious International Leadership Development Programme. This programme, which she completed in 2014, was facilitated by Regenesys Business School and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Additionally, Ms. Mosathupa holds certifications in Project Management from the University of Pretoria and Property Entrepreneurship from the SAIBPP/UCT collaboration.
As the founder and CEO of Blu Transfuxion Logistics Solution and an ambassador for SAPICS, Ms. Mosathupa is passionate about driving innovation, problem-solving, and diversification within the Supply Chain and Logistics Industry. She is a strong advocate for continuous improvement, leveraging her expertise to optimize processes, enhance operational efficiencies, and implement forward-thinking strategies that create value for her clients and stakeholders.
Ms. Mosathupa also champions the versatility and agility of SMEs, recognizing their critical role in adapting to market changes and meeting dynamic customer demands. Through Blu Transfuxion Logistics, she demonstrates the ability to swiftly pivot and innovate, ensuring the business remains competitive and resilient in an ever-evolving environment.
Beyond her corporate endeavors, she is also a dedicated boer goat farmer, aspiring to bridge the gap between agriculture and logistics to empower small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Her dynamic leadership, commitment to transformation, and focus on sustainable improvement continue to leave a lasting impact on the industries she serves.
ASCEA - Judge (Africa Supply Chain Excellence Awards)
Keorapetse A. Mooketsi
Keorapetse Mooketsi is a seasoned supply chain professional with over 20 years of experience across public service, health, education, banking, and the minerals investment sectors. He currently serves as Procurement Advisor at Minerals Development Company Botswana (MDCB), where he leads strategic, compliant, and high-impact procurement operations. Mr. Mooketsi has served on several boards and tender committees, including Babereki Insurance Brokers, BIDPA, and the Botswana National Olympic Committee. He holds a Master of Finance and Control, a Bachelor of Commerce, and procurement credentials, including the MCIPS (Chartered Professional in Procurement and Supply) designation. He has also earned certifications in Capital Markets & Securities Analysis (CMSA) and Financial Planning & Wealth Management Professional (FPWP) from the Corporate Finance Institute and completed the Executive Leadership Programme at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. A former lecturer and mentor, he is committed to procurement excellence, ethical governance, and nurturing the next generation of leaders.