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About Us

Botswana Society for Human Development (BSHD) was founded in October 2013 and licensed by the Botswana government on March 10, 2014.

In June 2014, BSHD became a Member of the Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organizations (BOCONGO).

The NGO was co-founded by a group of young women, but it has since attracted male members, and a number of registered volunteers.

Our mission: To create and support personal and sustainable development opportunities.

Our vision: To significantly advance Botswana’s efforts to realise the four dimensions of sustainable development.

Our focus areas, as inspired by the four dimensions of sustainable development—economic development (including ending extreme poverty), social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and good governance

Other than BOCONGO, BSHD is also a member of the Global Waste Cleaning Network (GWCN). An international non-profit network comprised of NGOs, educational institutions, and private and public sector companies, that are active and interested in environmental issues related to the management and reduction of waste in the world, and the conservation of the oceans, coastlines, lands and atmosphere. For more visit: https://www.gwcnweb.org/

BSHD Objectives

Climate Action
DisAbility & Health
Humanitarian
Research

Executive Committee

Sharon Tshipa

Chairperson

Tshepiso Mabote

Vice Chairperson

Full Members

Previous Members

Anne Viot

Previous Member

Teelotma Ghoorah

Previous Member

Keabetswe Baliki

Previous Member

Sharon Tshipa

Co-Founder & Chairperson

Sharon Tshipa is a development practitioner, research scholar, multimedia journalist, and fiction writer. Besides co-founding and chairing Botswana Society for Human Development for a decade, her research interests in line with development are sustainable development, development communication, and climate change and health. As a journalist, Tshipa is an independent multimedia journalist (video, text, radio and photography). She has contributed for the BBC Future Planet, Xinhua News Agency, Africa Is A Country, Deutsche Welle Living Planet, Botswana Guardian, Mmegi Newspaper, Malnutrition Deeply, Agence France Presse (AFP), Greenpeace, and Devex, to cite a few local and international news outlets. She has two journalism awards. As far as fiction writing is concerned, she has stories anthologised in magazines such as: ODD Magazine, The Wagon Magazine, Brittle Paper, StoryMondo, Deyu African, Motsamai Magazine, Kola Magazine, The African Street Writer and The Kalahari Review. She has three fiction writing awards.

Tshepiso Mabote

Co-Founder & Vice Chairperson

Tshepiso Mabote has a solid track record of being an excellent Educator. She has taught various levels from primary to tertiary students for over 15 years. As a seasoned Teacher, she is passionate about advancing inclusive and special education. In addition to teaching, she is also involved in disability advocacy and human development. Mrs.Mabote has an academic background in Masters of Arts, Politics and International Relations and a Bachelor’s degree in Special education from the University of Botswana.

In 2013, Ms.Mabote co-founded the Botswana Society for Human Development and is currently the deputy chairperson. For 10 years has worked on various projects that advance and advocate for the rights of people living with disabilities. Several of those projects include disability workshops that cover a range of topics.

Onkarabile Nato

Co-Founder & Secretary

Onkarabile Nato is read and is skilled in Computer Studies, Accounting and Business Studies. She has worked in numerous hotels therefore acquiring knowledge of the tourism and hospitality sector. She is currently employed by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. Nato has attended a number of workshops in Business Management and Coaching and is a business woman with a registered company doing business in different sectors. Her motto is ‘attempt the impossible in order to improve your work’.

Pearl Mokgatlhane

Co-Founder & Vice Secretary

Her life is a story of hope, change and purpose. From her humble upbringing she has been nurtured to have a heart for the community. Bred in the village of Ramonaka but raised in Molepolole, Pearl attributes her character much to the influence of her late grandmother, who was a deeply vested in community based projects. From a young age, conversation of community outreach, community up building and education were part of her everyday conversation. Hence when the opportunity to start up a non-governmental organization presented, she took it. From there forth her role to impact other’s lives has grown abundantly over the years.

Pearl holds qualification in business management and project management; tools she reckons have given her adaptability skills. Every task she encounters is often times broken down into a story, for with a story she believes that the variables such as who, what, why, when, how, can be honed into and ultimately lead to a purpose. After all, “having a purpose is the difference between making a living and making a life”. As a keen learner and avid reader, Pearl continues to find platforms and opportunities of growth, she strongly believes in diversification of skills and knowledge thus attending mentorships programs, continuous professional development programs.

She has a heart for humanity, and she is ever keen to engage in conversations that better shape the world, therefore she poses a challenge, share your story of change and purpose via bshdgaborone@gmail.com 

Lesego Ellen Mangwegape

Co-Founder & Member

Lesego Ellen Mangwegape is a co-founder of Botswana Society for Human Development (BSHD), and the Project Lead of the BSHD Loss and Damage Workshop Series 2023. As a development practitioner, she also has over ten years’ worth of experience inentrepreneurship development.

Lesego is an alumnus of the University of Nottingham, she holds an honors degree in Finance, Accounting and Management. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Development Practice degree with the University of Botswana.

Tshegofatso Pearl Samagomo

Member

Tshegofatso Pearl Samagomo is an Applied Laboratory Science student at Oodi College of Applied Arts and Technology. She is an experienced Health Facilitator in the HIV/ AIDS field, who enjoys humanitarian work, with a high volunteering rate in a variety of non- governmental organizations. In addition to that, she has been a member of the Botswana Society for Human Development since May 2023 till present,helping in organising the recent Loss and Damage Workshop Series in relation to Climate change.

Heather Mosimaneotsile

Member

Heather is an accomplished consultant in marketing and tourism operations, specializing in branding, communications, HR, systems implementation, web development, and social media management across Botswana and several African nations.

Her journey into entrepreneurship within the tourism sector began with her pivotal role in rebranding and restructuring her mother’s lodge, where she, alongside a talented team, fostered a distinctive culture while providing tailored solutions for small-scale lodging establishments. 

Subsequently, Heather assumed the role of Secretary General at the Women in Tourism Organization, spearheading the startup of this demanding non-governmental organization with remarkable innovation and dedication. Despite its voluntary nature, Heather wholeheartedly committed herself to ensuring smooth operations.

Goabaone Gift Seolo

Member

Hi there, Dumelang.

I am Goabaone Gift Seolo, undergraduate of Multimedia with honors, my first internship, of three years, was in Debswana Diamond Mining Company, as a Multimedia Specialist in the Corporate Affairs Department. I have since moved on to The Department of Broadcasting Services (DBS) Botswana, where I spent my first year as an intern/volunteer in the productive space of the Botswana Television Newsroom as a news and current affairs producer, I am, currently, a freelance agent for DBS in the Copyright and Media Management Department.

Aside from my work, I am a Botswana Society for Human Development member. I have always been passionate about humanitarian work and BSHD has simply accepted and accelerated my dreams of becoming more involved in such a space. I hope to grow and learn even more than I have in this organization as much as I am eager to see it become even more beneficial to the communities it dedicates it’s aid to. Ke a leboga. Pula.

Serati Sediapelo Mogobe

Member

I am a human rights advocate with a commitment to fostering economic development for all, including refugees, women, children, and youth.

Throughout my career, I have actively championed the cause of marginalized populations, contributing significantly to initiatives aimed at uplifting individuals facing displacement, such as in my roles with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Additionally, my volunteer work with organizations like the Botswana Society for Human Development (BSHD) underscores my commitment to economic change for vulnerable groups and societal advancement.

I am committed to contributing to transformative objectives, reflecting my vision for a world where each individual is afforded the opportunity to realize their full potential.

Gotshwanetse Khao

Member

Gotshwanetse Khao is a dedicated and experienced educational leader serving as the school head of Dutlwe Primary School. With a passion for fostering a nurturing and inclusive learning environment, Mrs Khao has been instrumental in guiding the school towards academic excellence and holistic development of students.

Mrs Khao holds a Degree in Bachelor of Educational Leadership and management and has 35 years of experience in the field of education. Prior to joining Dutlwe Primary School, Mrs Khao has held various leadership roles in primary education, where she has demonstrated a commitment to student success and teacher professional development.

Known for her approachable and collaborative leadership style, Mrs Khao is deeply invested in building strong relationships with students, parents, and staff members. She believe in creating a supportive and engaging school culture that celebrates diversity and encourages lifelong learning.

Under Mrs Khao’s leadership, Dutlwe Primary School has implemented innovative teaching practices, enrichment programs, and community partnerships to enhance the overall educational experience for students. She is dedicated to ensuring that every student receives a quality education that prepares them for future success.

She is actively involved in community outreach initiatives and professional development opportunities to stay current with educational trends and best practices, and committed to continuous improvement and strive to create a positive impact on the lives of all members of the school community.

Ms Lesedi Komi

Full Member

She holds a Master in Arts (Development Studies), she also has Degree in Arts (Sociology and Environmental Science), from the University of Botswana. She has thirteen years’ work experience as a Sociologist. Ms Komi has worked in numerous Environmental Consultancies focusing on social development which is an immense aspect in development projects and programs.

She further has extensive in experience in research, environmental and social assessment, social performance, communication, stakeholder engagement, human rights and Corporate Social Responsibility. Ms Komi is also keen on sustainability and development and its applicability on daily life. She is also motivated to learn new things and improve her professional development.

Anne Viot

Previous Member

Ms Anne Viot comes from France. She holds a Master in Mechanical Engineering from the Icam Engineering School of Life.

She has worked for several years at Otto Bock, a German prosthetics company. She has acquired experience in workshop management and process improvement. In her daily work she likes to help young workers to be more self-confident about their future.

Ms Anne Viot has been involved for five years in the scouting movement as Chief. This period allowed her to work on the organisation of projects with teenagers and shared with them the scouts values.

She has also been practicing ballet dancing since the age of seven.

Teelotma Ghoorah

Previous Member

Ms Ghoorah has over ten years of experience working directly with communities in the field of women empowerment, voluntary and social work, youth development, civic engagement and policy making. She is a young ambitious social development thinker possessing managerial skills and has excellent leadership, interpersonal and communication skills.

She is also of an extrovert personality and has good computer skills in standard office software, including e-mail and internet. She has participated in prestigious forums and workshops on various social issues on the local/regional and international arena.

Keabetswe Baliki

Previous Member

Mr Baliki works as a Manager at Pick n Pay stores Botswana. Having had the opportunity to have been recruited as a freshmen into the retail giant. He found his purpose in customer care/ relation which has seen him through different hierarchical stages such as Buyer and Inventory Manager to his current title.

When not preoccupied with his duties, he spends time researching more about managing skills, leadership and travel.  Mr Baliki holds an A.B.M.A accredited Certificate in Human Resources Management.