Meet our newly appointed Board Chairman and Members

2010-02-23

Dr. Lucas Phirie Gakale has been appointed as the new CEDA Board Chairman. The appointment takes effect from February 2010. Dr. Gakale takes over from Motlhware Kgori James Masisi who resigned from the CEDA Board in October 2009. Other members appointed to the CEDA Board are Mmoloki Tibe, Spencer Kaisara and Bernard Ditlhabi.

Dr. Gakale holds a Ph. D. degree in Agronomy from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America, having acquired it in 1986. The father of two, who hails from Mochudi, is a stalwart who brings with him a solid background in the Agricultural Sector and extensive experience from the public service.

He has held a number of positions in the Department of Agricultural Research and contributed to the development and implementation of public sector research policies, strategies and programmes and the overall management of the Department. Highlights of his career include the release of the first ever Botswana high breed sorghum and the development of the Sebele planter currently under commercial production by RIIC. Dr. Gakale held the position of Permanent Secretary in various Ministries; Agriculture, Wildlife and Tourism as well as Works, Transport and Research.

The versatile Gakale has sat on other Boards such as Air Botswana, Botswana Vaccine, Botswana College of Agriculture Council, Southern African Center for Cooperation in Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Training (SACCAR) and Veld Products Research, Botswana. He was also a member of several professional bodies/committees such as Botswana Technology Center, Executive Committee of the Special Program for African Agricultural Research (SPAAR), World Bank and the Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center (AVRDC).             

Mmoloki Tibe has also been appointed to the CEDA Board.  He is currently the General Manager – Strategy and Transformation at Botswana Power Corporation (BPC). Tibe brings to the CEDA Board, extensive experience in Housing, Estates Management, Energy and Oil sectors. Tibe is a qualified Chartered Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor and MBA Graduate.

Spencer Kaisara, the Director of Chemserve Botswana (Pty) Ltd is another new member of the CEDA Board. He is also a Founding Director and Shareholder of Six Plus One Consultants. Kaisara has worked for Debswana for about twenty-five years. A keen sportsman, Kaisara brings a wealth of experience and an impeccable record in the Mining Industry. He is a member of Council of the Botswana International University of Science and Technology, where he is also the Chairman of the Physical Infrastructure and Tender Sub-Committee.

Bernard Ditlhabi who runs LeadEx Consulting, a Human Resources Consultancy is a new addition to our Board.  Ditlhabi brings vast experience in the Human Resources profession. He has served in various capacities as a Board Member in a number of organisations such as the Debswana ART Trust Board, Pula Medical Aid, BECI and ABM College.