Executive Secretary/CEO
Petroleum Fund
Total years of experience :24 years, 6 Months
My role is to develop and execute finance and investment framework and strategies for capital projects that will address equitable access to all petroleum products within the Kingdom of Lesotho. These projects should entail Public-Private Partnerships, to empower and promote local entrepreneurs, and facilitate bottom line beneficiation for local business, and consumers.
As Chairperson, I preside over the proceedings of the Board as it (the Board) provides oversight on the Executive Management of the Corporation. Specifically, I lead in the following: Liaison with the Lesotho Government via the Minister of Finance, Chairing Board Meetings, Corporate Governance, Corporate Performance, Corporate Finance, Fiduciary Functions.
I further lead in steering the corporation towards continued innovative revenue generation, investment and financing, including providing technical support to Implementing Agencies (Maseru City Council, Roads Directorate, Ministry of Local Government) in roads construction, rehabilitation, and upgrades in Lesotho, for full utilisation of available funding.
Represent the interests of the shareholder, namely, the Minister of Tourism, and accordingly participate in providing oversight on the Executive Management of the Corporation, in terms of, overall corporate governance, fiduciary management, corporate performance, etc. In addition, I also participate in the following sub-committees:
(I) Finance & Audit Sun-Committee
(II) Human Resources & Remunerations Sub-Committee
(III) Asset Divestiture Sub-Committee
As a Director of Letlotlo Credit Finance, a non-bank financial services company based in Lesotho, I also function as its Business Development Strategist. In this capacity, I founded the company, conceptualized its business model, and secured the license for its operations from the regulator. Once it was licensed, I have been playing a direct role, with the following specific functions, and accomplishments:
- Identified strategic partners, and raised a start-up capital in excess of R1 million;
- Marketing; led the process of direct marketing and identifying a niche market for the company. The company now has a client base well over 200 people, from over 10 companies;
- Systems development; with the help of finance and IT consultants, the company has put in place a unique financing model, which sets it apart from its competitors hence a robust market entry, as highlighted above.
- Through our convincing business model, and ability to network, today Letlotlo is currently in talks with potential financiers from many parts of the world, with a view to diversify its portfolio, and grow its base.
to the Prime-Minister and Minister of Defence and National Security on national security and defence policies, strategies, legislation, and administration;
•Provided leadership in the overall administration and management of the affairs of the Ministry, which included preparation and submission of Cabinet Papers, and other briefs to the Prime-Minister, submissions and appearances before Parliamentary Portfolio Committees, and participation in any other ad hoc Government Committees.
•Initiated the roadmap for the reforms in the Lesotho Defence Force;
•Responsible for designing programmes for the relevance of the Lesotho Defence Force in Lesotho’s socio-economic development;
•Responsible for the preparation, submission, implementation and accounting for the budget of the Ministry of Defence, the Lesotho Defence Force and the National Security Services;
KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
•Championed the process of re-negotiating the Co-operation Agreement between the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Republic of India, which helped in enhancing the capability of the Lesotho Defence Force to achieve its mandate, especially in the areas of training and health sectors.
•As the Prime-Minister’s chief advisor, I was central, under the auspices of SADC, in dealing with the team led by SA Deputy President Ramaphosa, which led to the drafting of a number of Agreements which were ultimately ratified by the SADC Heads of State and Government, on returning Lesotho to normalcy.
•Initiating the steps towards putting in place exclusive financing models for the Lesotho Defence Force and the National Security Services;
•Reviewed the Defence and National Security Policy, and putting it in tandem with both regional and international standards;
•Represented the Ministry and the country in all official local, regional, and international forums, such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the joint SADC/International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), and the African Union (AU), including in government-to-government, and other stakeholder meetings.
7.1.2 PRINCIPAL SECRETARY
MINISTRY OF TOURISM, ENVIRONMENT AND CULTURE
Chief advisor to the Minister of Tourism, Environment and Culture on all matters relating to policies, strategies, administration and legislation, in the areas of tourism, environment and culture.
Overall responsibility for the management and administration of the affairs of the Ministry’s budget, procurement, annual work plans, and staff matters etc).
Responsible for providing overall leadership in driving the Ministry towards achieving its overall strategic goals and objectives, in line with the government’s National Strategic Development Plan.
Chairperson of the Casino Board, which is vested with the responsibility for legislation, policy development, regulation and licensing within the gambling sector.
Chairperson of the Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation (LTDC) - state-owned enterprise, which is vested with responsibility for marketing the country internationally, and to attract investors on the tourism front.
KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Championed the establishment of the first Lesotho Accommodation Star Grading Programme, which subjects tourism facilities to provide services in line with international standards.
As part of the efforts to streamline Lesotho’s tourism sector, engaged with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in the production of the following:
- Lesotho Tourism Public Private Partnership Policy;
- Tourism and Liquor Licensing Regulations;
- Tourism Development Plans for Semonkong and Sani Pass.
Led the process of divesting a number of state-owned tourism facilities through Public-Private Partnerships. I was able to sign, within a period of one year, 6 Concession Agreements, with a result in increased capital investment within the country, increased employment of Basotho, as well as increase in the number of tourists coming into Lesotho.
Under the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), I entered into negotiations with the Goldrush Group (one of the leading gambling houses in South-Africa) to invest in Lesotho. Today, through my efforts, Goldrush is fully entrenched in Lesotho, with an investment well in excess of R40 million, and with more than 200 direct and indirect jobs created.
Stabilized the Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation, on governance, and strengthened its mandate for marketing and investment promotion, by recommending appropriate candidates for the Board and its committees, appointing a qualified Executive Team, leading the process of restructuring, as well as lobbying government to increase budget allocations for the Corporation.
As part of marketing the country, successfully fostered relations between Lesotho and such countries as China, South Africa, Russia and the Seychelles, in the fields of tourism and culture.
Represented the Kingdom of Lesotho in all official forums such as the SADC (RETOSA), the United National World Tourism Organisation, United Nations Environmental Programme, the Global Environmental Facility events, and UNESCO, including in government-to-government, and other stakeholder meetings.
Successfully campaigned for the inscription of the Sehlaba-Thebe
National Park on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.
● Responsible for the overall administration and management of the Public Relations Division which entail, preparation of annual budgets, annual work plans, quarterly progress reports, staff performance appraisal system, etc
● Responsible for the provision of advice and support to the Governor, in relation to the monitoring and evaluation of the Bank-wide departmental progress towards achieving the Bank’s overall strategic goals and targets.
● As a member of the Expanded Executive Committee (EEC) of the Bank, I represented the Division in various technical and advisory committees where policies, procedures, including rules and regulations are considered.
● Served as the Bank’s communications-wide chief advisor and supporter, its spokesperson, and stakeholder manager.
● Acted from time to time, as Secretary to the Board (Corporate Secretary) of the Bank which entailed assistance in corporate services of the Bank, in terms of coordinating the business of the Board of Directors, Executive Management, and the Expanded Executive Committee.
KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
● Established the “Taking the Bank to the People” Campaign, which was aimed at facilitating mutually-beneficial dialogue between the Bank and its stakeholders - media, cabinet, NGOs, legislature, business community, and academia.
● Coordinated the process of putting together the Bank’s Strategic Plan 2010-2014.
● Crafted the “Consumer Education Strategy”, with a view to sensitize the public about their rights and obligations in dealing with financial institutions. This initiative is rolled out through live Television and radio programmes, including publishing of articles on newspapers. It also involves collaboration with other public institutions and civil society organization, to tap on their skills and expertise for wider and effective country coverage.
● Authored the Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility Policy which has two main components; charitable giving and support for a wide variety of national organizations and/or causes, aimed specifically at positive contribution to the well-being of the most vulnerable people within the country.
● Anchored the “Know about your Economy” radio progamme. Under this programme, the Central Bank of Lesotho secured slots in all major radio stations within the country whereat I would anchor different colleagues as they made presentations about different policy issues. The purpose of the programme was to engender understanding on the part of every citizen about the Lesotho economy, and the role of the Bank in it.
● Drafted and executed the communications strategy for the roll out of the capital markets development initiative in Lesotho.
● Drafted general correspondence, talking points, and speeches for the Governor, and also made contributions to communications work of other colleagues, including of the Government of Lesotho on matters relating to the Bank.
● Coordinated the planning of all major Bank events, which include publicity, issues of protocol, drafting speeches, drafting the programme, etc.
● Responsible for the Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.
Acted as an Executive Assistant to the Director of Customs & Excise.
•Acted as a point of contact between the Department and other Government Ministries on matters of common interest/concern.
•Represented the Department on the Lesotho South-Africa Inter-Governmental meetings.
•Coordinated the activities of all ports of entry into Lesotho.
•Involved in the planning, implementing, and managing the media relations function.
•Produced brochures, and other presentation material for the external audiences.
•Sub-edited and produced the Departmental newsletter.
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