Online job portals define recruitment in the new era
Local technology entrepreneurs have developed online job portals designed to afford employers a platform to source, track and accomplish talent recruitment.These platforms match eligible candidates and proprietors through a range of psychometric, intellectual and aptitude filters to improve employer’s probabilities of engaging the right applicant.
Young tech guru Alexis Leinane developed iBranch recruiters, a recruitment platform that is the first of its kind in Botswana due to its business and social networking orientation. Since its inception in 2018, iBranch has seen over 200 unemployed Batswana aided to unemployment, engagement with seven students placed for attachment and eight to internship. IBranch seeks to simplify job seeking on a continental scale by placing match maker between skill needed and skill attained. 

The founder, Leinane revealed that they intended to bridge the unemployment gap and promote cross boarder employment. “As iBranch, we strive to forge strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, to facilitate a seamless access to employment opportunities for the physically challenged, degree and non-degree holding job seekers in Botswana, especially young people. iBranch also cultivate a knowledge driven and well informed community through real time information dissemination,’’ Leinane told BusinessPost.
To achieve its core mandate, iBranch has established collaborations with key stakeholders, employers and educational institutions that need to place their students for attachment opportunities. Index wallet, University of Botswana, Leintel Codemasters, Botswana Innovation Hub, Limkokwing University as well as Companies and Intellectual Property Authority CIPA. Leinane indicated that the platform is operational across the globe with over one hundred companies registered with them in thirteen different countries.
“Enlisting with us puts your company in a position to network with potential contributors, investors and more on a global space, enhance your online presence, affords you a platform to interact with the rich content from around the world such as tenders, business insights, trends and also engage with other business minded people,’’ he explained. Furthermore, for job listing service, Leinane underlined that enlisting vacancies using their platform puts an employer in a position to access potential workforce in real time, analyze performance reports of vacancies in real time, interact with the applicant and vet out unwanted applicants.
He noted that for tender listing, there is an enhancement of supply chain on a global scale, engagement of bidders and performance analysis of tenders in real time. iBranch recruiters also have put in place capacity building initiatives such as The Associates program that is strategic alliance of various key stakeholders whose role is to work collaboratively together to ensure that iBranch deliver to its mandate through their capacity building initiatives.
‘’We also have the youth empowerment campaigns aimed at curbing unemployment and through this initiative, we make the public aware of our services and its benefits by fielding empowerment sessions in various areas of the country. Within six months, we have impacted a positive change in the lives of six hundred and forty-three people in Gaborone, Letlhakane, Mohembo, Serowe as well as Jwaneng,’’ Leinane said.
‘’To this date, we have over one hundred thousand registered employments, internship and attachment seekers, one hundred registered companies, over one thousand downloads on goggle play store. The app has aided over 200 unemployed Batswana to employment engagement and over 18 attachment seekers placed.”
For his part, seasoned Public Relations and Marketing specialist Christopher Bareki says he has started an influential initiative dubbed #EmploymentAlertBW aimed at transforming the landscape of recruitment and unemployment amongst youth in Botswana.
The main interest is on the use of social media for personal and career development.
More like iBranch recruiters, #EmploymentAlertBW avails a platform for a wide range of issues mainly to find job opportunities for youth in Botswana, network with recruitment agencies, talent acquisition managers, Human Resource personnel at companies that individual is interested to work for, as well as seek interactive conversational career advice.
“This platform also has a collaboration with education and training providers to assist people develop the skills they need in the world of work and promote lifelong learning. We foster entrepreneurship by supporting start-ups and small enterprises,’’ Bareki said.
‘’Solving youth unemployment cannot be the responsibility of employers alone but our ongoing strategy of focusing on employability and education in a responsible, well-timed, and can benefit students, communities and young people. Let’s open new opportunities for students to develop employability skills earlier, including an online employability skills clinic, skills seminars and career showcases at school’’ he added.
Further, Bareki said #EmploymentAlertBW is more than just about vacancies but provides an opportunity for mentorship image consultancy for job interviews as well as collaborative venture with #BWBizconnec which is a virtual marketplace for local small, medium enterprises to promote their products and services as well as share tenders.
It seeks to drive dialogue with regards to the business landscape of Botswana. #BWBizconnec is an entrepreneurial arm of #EmploymentAlertBW and the hashtags run concurrently. It is meant to bridge the gap between business and consumer in an inexpensive but effective manner. Bareki explained that the use of hashtags are a way of grouping and linking topics with a post. ‘’Hashtags increase engagement and add additional relevance to a post.
Through hashtags, you can reach people outside of your followers. Some have also found that it gives and additional voice to their posts and you can also filter through and see posts only by those you follow. They also increase retweets significantly’’ However, Bareki said the major concern is that Botswana brands have minimal presence on social media to acquire such initiatives for the development of communities.
He lamented that going forward, he is interested in formulating collaborative efforts with organizations, individuals and SMEs to adopt the use of hashtags as in when they are posting available job vacancies. “The use of hashtags when sending out a vacancy will enhance a strong identified reach, not only for the movement, but for the organisational,” he said.
brand mileage and presence on social media’’ he concluded
News
Nigerians, Zimbabweans apply for Chema Chema Fund
Fronting activities, where locals are used as a front for foreign-owned businesses, have been a long-standing issue in Botswana. These activities not only undermine the government’s efforts to promote local businesses but also deprive Batswana of opportunities for economic empowerment, officials say. The Ministry of Trade and Industry has warned of heavy penalties for those involved in fronting activities especially in relation to the latest popular government initiative dubbed Chema Chema.
According to the Ministry, the Industrial Development Act of 2019 clearly outlines the consequences of engaging in fronting activities. The fines of up to P50,000 for first-time offenders and P20,000 plus a two-year jail term for repeat offenders send a strong message that the government is serious about cracking down on this illegal practice. These penalties are meant to deter individuals from participating in fronting activities and to protect the integrity of local industries.
“It is disheartening to hear reports of collaboration between foreigners and locals to exploit government initiatives such as the Chema Chema Fund. This fund, administered by CEDA and LEA, is meant to support informal traders and low-income earners in Botswana. However, when fronting activities come into play, the intended beneficiaries are sidelined, and the funds are misused for personal gain.” It has been discovered that foreign nationals predominantly of Zimbabwean and Nigerian origin use unsuspecting Batswana to attempt to access the Chema Chema Fund. It is understood that they approach these Batswana under the guise of drafting business plans for them or simply coming up with ‘bankable business ideas that qualify for Chema Chema.’
Observers say the Chema Chema Fund has the potential to uplift the lives of many Batswana who are struggling to make ends meet. They argue that it is crucial that these funds are used for their intended purpose and not siphoned off through illegal activities such as fronting. The Ministry says the warning it issued serves as a reminder to all stakeholders involved in the administration of these funds to ensure transparency and accountability in their disbursement.
One local commentator said it is important to highlight the impact of fronting activities on the local economy and the livelihoods of Batswana. He said by using locals as a front for foreign-owned businesses, opportunities for local entrepreneurs are stifled, and the economic empowerment of Batswana is hindered. The Ministry’s warning of heavy penalties is a call to action for all stakeholders to work together to eliminate fronting activities and promote a level playing field for local businesses.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s warning of heavy penalties for fronting activities is a necessary step to protect the integrity of local industries and promote economic empowerment for Batswana. “It is imperative that all stakeholders comply with regulations and work towards a transparent and accountable business environment. By upholding the law and cracking down on illegal activities, we can ensure a fair and prosperous future for all Batswana.”
News
Merck Foundation and African First Ladies mark World Health Day 2024
Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany marks “World Health Day” 2024 together with Africa’s First Ladies who are also Ambassadors of MerckFoundation “More Than a Mother” Campaign through their Scholarship and Capacity Building Program. Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation emphasized, “At Merck Foundation, we mark World Health Day every single day of the year over the past 12 years, by building healthcare capacity and transforming patient care across Africa, Asia and beyond.
I am proud to share that Merck Foundation has provided over 1740 scholarships to aspiring young doctors from 52 countries, in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties such as Oncology, Diabetes, Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine, Endocrinology, Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Acute Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Embryology & Fertility specialty, Gastroenterology, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Emergency and Resuscitation Medicine, Critical Care, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Neonatal Medicine, Advanced Surgical Practice, Pain Management, General Surgery, Clinical Microbiology and infectious diseases, Internal Medicine, Trauma & Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, Neurology, Cardiology, Stroke Medicine, Care of the Older Person, Family Medicine, Pediatrics and Child Health, Obesity & Weight Management, Women’s Health, Biotechnology in ART and many more”.
As per the available data, Africa has only 34.6% of the required doctors, nurses, and midwives. It is projected that by 2030, Africa would need additional 6.1 million doctors, nurses, and midwives*. “For Example, before the start of the Merck Foundation programs in 2012; there was not a single Oncologist, Fertility or Reproductive care specialists, Diabetologist, Respiratory or ICU specialist in many countries such as The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Central African Republic, Guinea, Burundi, Niger, Chad, Ethiopia, Namibia among others. We are certainly creating historic legacy in Africa, and also beyond. Together with our partners like Africa’s First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Gender, Education and Communication, we are impacting the lives of people in the most disadvantaged communities in Africa and beyond.”, added Senator Dr. Kelej. Merck Foundation works closely with their Ambassadors, the African First Ladies and local partners such as; Ministries of Health, Education, Information & Communication, Gender, Academia, Research Institutions, Media and Art in building healthcare capacity and addressing health, social & economic challenges in developing countries and under-served communities. “I strongly believe that training healthcare providers and building professional healthcare capacity is the right strategy to improve access to equitable and quality at health care in Africa.
Therefore, I am happy to announce the Call for Applications for 2024 Scholarships for young doctors with special focus on female doctors for our online one-year diploma and two year master degree in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties, which includes both Online Diploma programs and On-Site Fellowship and clinical training programs. The applications are invited through the Office of our Ambassadors and long-term partners, The First Ladies of Africa and Ministry of Health of each country.” shared Dr . Kelej. “Our aim is to improve the overall health and wellbeing of people by building healthcare capacity across Africa, Asia and other developing countries. We are strongly committed to transforming patientcare landscape through our scholarships program”, concluded Senator Kelej.
News
Interpol fugitive escapes from Botswana
John Isaak Ndovi, a Tanzanian national embroiled in controversy and pursued under a red notice by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), has mysteriously vanished, bypassing a scheduled bail hearing at the Extension 2 Magistrate Court in Gaborone. Previously apprehended by Botswana law enforcement at the Tlokweng border post several months earlier, his escape has ignited serious concerns.
Accused of pilfering assets worth in excess of P1 million, an amount translating to roughly 30,000 Omani Riyals, Ndovi has become a figure of paramount interest, especially to the authorities in the Sultanate of Oman, nestled in the far reaches of Asia.
The unsettling news of his disappearance surfaced following his failure to present himself at the Extension 2 Magistrate Court the preceding week. Speculation abounds that Ndovi may have sought refuge in South Africa in a bid to elude capture, prompting a widespread mobilization of law enforcement agencies to ascertain his current location.
In an official communiqué, Detective Senior Assistant Police Commissioner Selebatso Mokgosi of Interpol Gaborone disclosed Ndovi’s apprehension last September at the Tlokweng border, a capture made possible through the vigilant issuance of the Interpol red notice.
At 36, Ndovi is implicated in a case of alleged home invasion in Oman. Despite the non-existence of an extradition treaty between Botswana and Oman, Nomsa Moatswi, the Director of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), emphasized that the lack of formal extradition agreements does not hinder her office’s ability to entertain extradition requests. She highlighted the adoption of international cooperation norms, advocating for collaboration through the lenses of international comity and reciprocity.
Moatswi disclosed the intensified effort by law enforcement to locate Ndovi following his no-show in court, and pointed to Botswana’s track record of extraditing two international fugitives from France and Zimbabwe in the previous year as evidence of the country’s relentless pursuit of legal integrity.
When probed about the potential implications of Ndovi’s case on Botswana’s forthcoming evaluation by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Moatswi reserved her speculations. She acknowledged the criticality of steering clear of blacklisting, suggesting that this singular case is unlikely to feature prominently in the FATF’s assessment criteria.