This week Meet the Boss weekly column brings to you the vibrant and energetic leader, Mokgethi Nyatseng who is the Managing Director of Inq. Digital Botswana, formerly known as VBN Services until 2020.
In this interview with Voice Money’s KABELO ADAMSON, the Serowe born 45-year-old describes himself as an entrepreneurial manager with a strong commercial track record in Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
Armed with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering; Biomedical Systems and Imaging, Nyatseng has risen through the ranks from his early days at Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) as a graduate trainee before being appointed to lead inq Digital Botswana.
Q. Briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
A. My full names are Mokgethi Nyatseng, a husband and father to three lovely kids.
I am a young vibrant, transformational and visionary leader as well as outgoing.
Q. Kindly take us through your professional journey.
A. I started my career as a technical graduate trainee at Botswana Telecommunication Corporation (BTC), before I moved to Network Security and Fraud Management, Revenue Assurance.
I am one of the founding members of the wholesale business division at BTC.
In 2012 I was appointed General Manager Wholesale and General Manager Enterprise in 2017 at BTC.
I Joined inq. (then VBN Services) in 2018 as Managing Director.
Q. What has been the highlight of your career to date?
A. I would say that was in 2013 when I created and implemented a telco business model that enabled a level playing field for all competitors to compete and provide affordable quality services to Batswana.
Q. And what would you say has been the lowest?
A. In 2012, when my then leadership did not believe in me and my capabilities, I had to work 10 times harder to prove myself.
Q. Turning to Inq Botswana, when was the company founded?
A. The company was founded in 2004 as VBN Services and transitioned into inq. Digital in 2020.
Q. What was the motivation behind the establishment of the company?
A. The motivation behind the establishment of Inq.
was to leverage on technology to drive digital inclusion in Botswana.
Q. What services does Inq Botswana provides?
A. Inq. Botswana provides, Edge Solutions such as Software Defined –Wide Area Network (SD-WAN), Internet o Things (IoT), Infrastructure as a Service, Secure Access Service Edge, Video and Data Analytics, Software Development and Intelligent Connectivity.
Q. What sets the company apart from its competitors?
A. We are a platform business enabling us to scale and customize our solutions to readily meet our unique client needs.
Q. What would you say are the challenges that the business faces?
A. The biggest challenge we are facing is the slow adoption of cloud and digital solutions.
Q. And how do you think can be overcome?
A. We will continue to invest in market education, and continuous reinforcement through Proof of Concepts of our different solutions.
Q. On a personal note, away from work, what keeps you busy?
A. I spend my spare time reading, doing research, farming, and spending quality time with family.
PERSONAL PROFILE
Full names: Mokgethi Nyatseng
Place of Birth: Serowe
Date of Birth: 20/04/1977
Mentors: Duncan Pie
Dream holiday destination: Maldives
Car driving: Range Rover Sport
Favourite food: Zengwe, Phane, Delele
Favourite drink: Gemere
What makes you angry: Dishonesty