Africa’s fight for gender equality has gained pace, though not as expected. For decades now a good number of countries have embraced change for gender equality.
In this interview, Raphael Mweninguwe chats with Dr. Gaolapelwe Badumedi Matsetse-Mpete, a Lawyer and a fighter for gender equality who is based in Gaborone.
She has so far been nominated for four international awards for her work that she does in Botswana in particular and Africa in general.
EXCEPT:
Raphael Mweninguwe (RM): Tell me about yourself.
Gaolapelwe Badumedi Matsetse-Mpete (GBMM): I am Dr Gaolapelwe Badumedi Matsetse-Mpete, a wife to William Mpete, a mother of two boys, Thulani and Thokozani Mpete respectively. I was born and bred in Gaborone, the Capital of Botswana. I was born to David Moruakgomo Matsetse and Patricia Matsetse, and I am a middle-born child with one elder sister Masego Dikgang, and a late younger brother Gofamodimo Modumedisi Matsetse, who suddenly passed on in 2021 due to Covid-19 complications. May his humble, entrepreneurial spirit continue to rest in God’s power.
For my high schooling, I went to Maru-a-Pula School in Gaborone from form 1 to form 5, I further studied Accounting at Botswana Accountancy College. I’m also a law graduate armed with an LLM from Cumbria University, UK, and also a Doctorate of Letter ( Literature) and Humanitarian Studies from IIU University in New Delhi, India.
I also have several skill development Qualifications from Philanthropy University, USA, and Alison USA, Insurance Institute of Botswana ( Certificates in Advocacy, Impact and Community Building, Change Management – Organisational capacity for change, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Human Rights Law, Psychology, Neuro Linguistic Programming and Grief Counseling).
RM: What do you do?
GBMM: I am a Legal Consultant, An Entrepreneur, An Author, a Public Speaker, a linguistic Practitioner, and a staunch Humanitarian. I am the CEO of Bonton Botswana (pty) Ltd, Director of two more companies GAOBADU Group (pty) Ltd and Literary Women Circle (pty) Ltd, and Founder of Women Achievers Awards Africa. This is a platform that recognizes and Honours Women excelling in their respective fields across Africa, encompassing an annual Mentorship Program. I am also the Founder of Woman-Supreme Botswana, a platform that Empowers Women and youth, and Co-Founder of Literary Women Circle, a platform that reviews Books, a Book club, a networking hub for Women Writers, and an annual book fair.
RM: I hear you have been nominated for four international awards. What are they? What motivated people to nominate you?
GBMM: Absolutely yes, I am delighted to announce that I have been nominated for actually five International Awards in 2024. I will be honored at the 7th African Honouree Authors’s Awards on the 31st of July in Sandton, South Africa. I am also nominated for the 4th Africa’s Respected CEO scheduled for the 1st of August in Nairobi, Kenya. Another nomination is for the Humanitarian Awards Global, to be held in Accra, Ghana in November, and a Book Behind Awards nomination, under the Category Best Awareness Book scheduled for November, and the African Women’s Awards to take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in December.
I am truly humbled by how Africa warms up to my Literary work, Humanitarian work, and Business work ethic. When you work hard daily, living your life purposefully to bring change to the world and create opportunities for others, somehow someone will pause and take notice. I believe that’s how I get to be nominated for all these profound Awards. Empowering women in Africa is also one critical work that I have been engaged in and the purpose is to bridge the gender gap that has existed for so long. I think that is also one of the motivations for these nominations.
RM: Previously you have been voted for some of the work you do. What awards have you so far won?
GBMM: I was deeply honored to be awarded the coveted, prestigious 2023 Influential Woman of the Year at the African Influencers Awards in Zimbabwe, the Humanitarian of the Year 2023, IIU in New Delhi, Mentor/Coach of Excellence 2024 by Christian Women Entrepreneurs Network of Africa, from Cameroon and Africa One Identity, South Africa & Zimbabwe.
RM: You have done a lot and written several books. What motivated you to write and how many books have you written?
GBMM: I have written four Books titled and they are: (1) In her own voice. It’s a prose that interweaves a Memoir, A compilation of Motivational quotes, and a literary commentary or detailed interpretation on how one may apply these quotes in their daily lives; (2) Understanding and navigating grief. A non-fiction book that aims to bring in-depth awareness of Grief, How it impacts our lives, Different types of grief, and symptoms of grief, provides knowledge on how one can better navigate the complexities of loss & grief and ultimately how to overcome the devastating pain of loss. A topic often overlooked in our society yet profoundly crippling to the bereaved; (3) Overcoming. A grief workbook filled with helpful grief focused on components and exercises for mourners to practice in their pursuit of overcoming grief. It’s a resource book intended to offer companionship and guidance to those grieving the loss of a loved one, and (4) Finding self. A compilation of weekly motivational quotes that prompt journaling and give readers a nudge on their journey of finding self. It’s a therapeutic self-development Journal that is crucial for goal setting, tracking progress, and celebrating achievements. It holds one accountable for their goals while providing motivation as well.
All four books were inspired by my journey through life. In her own voice, inspiration came from my journey as a motivational speaker, Humanitarian, and Advocate for Quality Education, interactions with people who had lost hope, and how my speeches always light up their existence & somehow restore their hope. Understanding and Navigating Grief was inspired by my traumatic journey with grief, depression & Anxiety after the sudden loss of my only brother to COVID-19 in 2021. In Overcoming, I curated it in response to my complicated experience with the pain of loss. It is a true reflection of how I navigated my own grief, and how I learned to cope and ultimately survive. Finding self was inspired by my commitment to self-development, and deep desire to change my life by setting goals and seeing them through to accomplishment.
RM: You have been fighting gender equality for a long time, not only in Botswana but in Africa as a whole. What do you think are the challenges for gender equality in Africa?
GBMM: Africa lags behind other regions on progress towards gender parity. The following are the challenges that we need to overcome as a continent: The wheels of Enforcing laws and policies that promote and uphold Women’s Rights are turning at a slow pace; Delays in implementing Regulations that drive progress toward gender equality; Slow progress regarding Policy reforms through implementation of Gender Competition Policies; Not leveraging on technology to design Apps with a gender lens to benefit mostly the disadvantaged gender; Slow efforts on re-shaping efforts to change entrenched and widespread attitudes about Women’s roles in the society; Lack of investment in human capital and limited Economic opportunities.
One could also blame issues of slavery and colonialism in Africa as the genesis of the erosion of traditions and Rights that initially granted women esteem and equality.
Though we do see some evidence of at least some measure of commitment to the United Nations SDGs and African Union 2063 Agenda, Women still trail men in Education, Employment, Financial Autonomy, Political participation, and leadership.
RM: What is your last word?
GBMM: I am grateful for a rewarding year thus far. A huge thank you to my support system, especially my family for allowing me space to serve humanity and to chase my dreams, profound gratitude to all platforms across the globe that celebrate my work achievements, and the media for giving my work a voice globally. I look forward to what the last half of the year brings.
