The beginning of August 2021 saw the appointment of a new General Manager, Kopano Ben Sechele, for the Botswana office as replacement for Felicity Leburu-Sianga who is going on well-deserved retirement.  Kopano is a trained biology teacher, but taught for only one year before joining a multinational publishing company in 1996 as a sales rep. He says that he got recruited to the company because he was very critical of their book display and also felt they weren’t aggressive enough. He worked in the sales, publishing and printing departments. In 2005 he moved to another multinational to establish the marketing department, became very successful, and finally in 2010 set up his own book retail business.

Kopano aspires to work with a Macmillan team that is vibrant, formidable and punches well above its weight in the market, projecting itself as part of the ultimate company to be with. He says he already feels at home, and is very excited to join the team and make his contribution to move the family forward.

Kopano believes that getting to know staff better has a lot to do with genuinely caring about their well-being and he says “I intend to have regular one-on-one meetings with each staff member in order to help them through their goals and objectives.”

Staff members had a chance to ask him questions – these were his responses:

Neo: What is your favourite dish?

Traditional cuisine made with sorghum, sour milk and melon for starch – Thopi and pounded beef prepared with specially selected parts of the gut called mokoto.

Baboloki: What is your favourite family vacation?

A round trip around Botswana through Kgalagadi desert, Okavango Delta, Makgadikgadi Salt Pans especially Nata Bird Sanctuary, and finally my home village to spend time with wider family, makes for a complete holiday.

Kesego: Are you a cat or dog person?

Cat guy because they are very low maintenance, independent and very emotionally intelligent. They take care of stuff you don’t want to see.

Letsweletse: What expectations do you have for your team?

I expect my team to love their company, to know the company has also got their back, and to do their best for the company to win.

Joyce: What is your take on e-publishing?

It used to be an option but after COVID’s occurrence it is mandatory.

Jacob: Do you have time for work conversation during the weekend and when on holiday?

Work is very personal to me so I have time for work conversation any time, weekends or holiday.

Charlotte: What is your management style?

I like to be part of the team and lead from within the team.

Mmangwedi: What is your favourite colour?

Blue

Boipuso: What are your hobbies?

Travelling, reading, mountain biking, farming and generally working with my hands.