Oakantse Alfred

MOGOBE MENTORSHIP

A little over a week ago I had the pleasure of speaking at Mogobe’s Mentorship Program, a wonderful initiative by Mompoloki Lerumo Mogobe, where I shared insights on “The Human Story.”

It's essential to always remember that behind every success and venture, there are real people—individuals who started somewhere and had to build their way up. I thoroughly enjoyed recounting my personal journey into the property industry, a story that always brings a sense of nostalgia.

After sharing my experiences, we dove into the technical aspects of what we do at LesediLebone Property Developers. (construction, property development, maintenance, land acquisition, etc).

In addition, I spoke about our vision for the future of the company and addressed some truly thought-provoking questions from the audience.

Working with the Mogobe Mentorship Program team is always a pleasure. Thank you for the invitation.

For speaking engagements:
📧 [email protected]
📱 +267 78 377 488

To learn more about what other services I offer visit www.oakantsealfred.com

MENTORLY AFRICA BRUNCH - BOTSWANA 🇧🇼

Life keeps interweaving and allowing my path to cross with absolutely phenomenal women. I am still basking in the aura of the event that was Mentorly, especially significant as it was the official introduction of the Botswana chapter and I am honoured to have been invited as a panelist.

My life and business cup were filled to the brim. From hearing of the selfless support and encouragement Mascom CEO, Dzene Makhwade-Seboni received from family and loved ones that have led her to where she is, to being inspired Lucara Diamond Corp.’s Managing Director Naseem Lahri who left a well-paying job to head Lucara when it was still in its infancy, and listening to Air Botswana’s CEO Lulu Rasebotsa, who talked about committing herself to learning more about the aviation industry even without an engineering background.

Keneilwe Matseke shared about discovering her greatness and just what she was capable of achieving as she forged forward in faith. From her time at Letshego Botswana, to being tasked with launching Letshego Lesotho and later Letshego Kenya, her journey led her to her current role as General Manager of EnComm Power in Southern Africa and the DRC.

Being a part of the “Bounce Back” panel was a profound experience. One thing I’ve learned in my entrepreneurial journey is the power of perspective. The ability to see opportunities hidden within challenges is what sets people apart. During the COVID-19 pandemic at LesediLebone Property Developers., we embraced this mindset. By shifting our perspective, we expanded our business into new services aligned with the property industry, successfully navigating uncertain times.

I truly was inspired by every speaker and panelist, and was constantly moved by the common thread of selflessness that runs through the fabric of women, regardless of their position in society. There is always an element of making an impact and giving back.

At the end of it all, really , there is no such thing as balance. Work-life balance is an illusion. We all just commit to what needs to be done when it needs to be done. And that’s perfectly okay.

Thank you, Marang, Belinda, Phetso, and the entire Mentorly Africa team, for such an amazing, power-packed and absolutely beautiful in every way event.

In the words of Dzene Makhwade-Seboni, “I’m just a girl!” 🥂

It’s a countdown ☺️

We are only two days away from the Mentorly Africa Brunch, where they’re introducing the Botswana 🇧🇼 chapter.

Re tlaa kopana teng, akere?

I am thrilled to join the Seneca DSC Team as Botswana’s Managing Director. Seneca DSC has presence in South Africa 🇿🇦, Zambia 🇿🇲, and now Botswana 🇧🇼

Seneca DSC is a premier international logistics provider that is committed to delivering trusted and exceptional service to meet your diverse logistics needs.

Our services include secure warehousing facilities, efficient international freight forwarding,
expert customs clearing & consulting, reliable transport solutions, specialised handling
of project cargo, and expertise in handling soft commodities, metals, and minerals.
Our project logistics expertise ensures the secure and effective transportation of large or heavy shipments, tailored to meet your project's specific requirements.

Their expansion into Botswana is a significant milestone, and I am honoured to be the Botswana Lead.

I will be sharing more information about Seneca DSC as time goes.

Visit www.senecadsc.com to learn more.

I am looking forward to being one of the speakers at the upcoming Mentorly Africa Brunch, set for Saturday the 7th of September in Gaborone.

I have an undeniable passion for the empowerment of women; there is just something spectacular about the coming together of women to help each other rise and be equipped with the necessary tools to do so.

Ladies, I look forward to connecting at this beautiful event.

SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT ✨

We are thrilled to announce that Oakantse Alfred will be joining the esteemed Bounce Back Panel at the Mentorly Africa Brunch: Botswana Edition!

Oakantse, a trailblazing businesswoman and CEO of LesediLebone Property Developers, brings a wealth of experience and insight to our panel. Her remarkable journey from a college student with ambitious goals to leading a top-tier property development firm is a testament to her unwavering resilience and vision.

With a career marked by success in real estate, construction, and entrepreneurial ventures, Oakantse’s accolades include founding LesediLebone, co-owning MACO Hardware, and being a sought-after speaker and consultant. Her leadership and innovation have been recognized across various platforms, including the Women in Business and Leadership Conference, SheVestor Africa, and Botswana Vision 2036.

Join us to hear Oakantse’s inspiring story of overcoming personal and professional challenges, and discover how she transformed obstacles into opportunities for success. Don’t miss this chance to gain invaluable insights from a true industry leader!

In the latest installment of Business Central with Oakantse Alfred I talk about “The Construction Process: A Step-by-Step Guide.”

This episode follows our conversation on “Pre-Construction.” In this new episode I take you through a thorough process of construction, as well as some practical tips on how you can ensure that that there is a synergy in the work even if you have different contractors working on your project.

Click on the thumbnail and remember to subscribe. Road to 300 subscribers 🥂

The Construction Process: A Step-By-Step Guide

The whole nation is proud 🇧🇼🇧🇼🇧🇼

Shoot day for Business Central with Oakantse Alfred. Subscribe on YouTube https://youtube.com/?si=EbGiO4fkWUtAPLPo

Also check out my other platforms: LinkedIn, Facebook, and TikTok.

Visit my website on www.oakantsealfred.com

Talk about months of dedication to perfecting the craft. It certainly paid off, I must say. This was at the Woman To Woman BW Golf ⛳️ Tournament where I got the first position in my category. 🥇

Taking it to the top 🔝

I hope that you and your loved ones are having a restful and enjoyable holiday bagaetsho.

WORKPLACE DIVERSITY

Workplace diversity refers to the variety of differences and similarities among people in an organisation. These differences can include demographic factors, cognitive diversity, and cultural diversity. For businesses to thrive and continue positioning themselves globally, it's imperative that they continue to make considerations toward this end.

As someone who has been at the helm of a growing and constantly evolving business environment, I can unequivocally state that leaders of organisations need to be at the forefront of driving, influencing and implementing diversity strategies. People will only go where you lead them. When you have a diverse group of people working at an organisation, they bring different strengths and invaluable perspectives. I have seen this first-hand over the years.

Lastly, remember that the concept of diversity is part of a larger umbrella consisting of diversity, equity and inclusivity. Leaders must take the time to fully appreciate their organisation's identity and end goal to implement relevant and effective strategies. For example, with LesediLebone Property Developers. involving a lot of construction, most of our staff complement is men. So how do we ensure diversity there? We hire people with various backgrounds and age demographics, such as young people in order to empower them.

Thank you Botswana Television for the invitation to speak on a topic that is so dear to my heart.

A special thank you to Mr. Ziana Moitshubedi of Wrangler Facilities for lending his exceptional expertise for this month's episode of Business Central with Oakantse Alfred.

Le kamoso gape.

RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH NOT CONDUCTING PRE-CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

There are a number of risks that are associated with skipping this crucial stage of construction. Realistically speaking, it is understood that finances may be tight in order to attend to this phase, but also, not attending to this stage of your construction process will definitely cost you more later. Some people have had to completely demolish their buildings because they were irreparable.

Consider conducting pre-construction services as an investment toward the entire project. Just think of this example for instance: a developer who decides to bypass soil testing in order to save money. Without proper testing, the developer might not discover that the soil is unsuitable for construction, leading to problems such as foundation instability and potential collapse. The cost of repairing or rebuilding the structure would far outweigh the cost of conducting soil testing in the first place.

Think long-term.

FEASIBILITY VS. AFFORDABILITY

These are two different concepts which play different roles in a construction project. There are different construction project financing options, and one of them is securing funding through banks. Sometimes people will approach a bank and get the amount of money they have been told they can afford, only to have their projects fall short and be subjected to incompletion. This can actually be avoided should a proper feasibility study prior to seeking funding is done.

After you have carried out a feasibility study on your land, a good Project Manager will help you understand how much you will neeed for the kind of project you want to endeavour upon. If it falls outside your budget, you can then think of cost-mitigation strategies such as scaling the project or perhaps conducting in various phases.

It is not ideal, nor is it advisable to jump to securing funding prior to understanding the project feasibility.

MID-MONTH CHECK-IN

Have you managed to attain some of your business and property development goals for 2024? Let's talk. What do you need help with?

Happy Father's Day to all the incredible dads!

As a woman in business, I want to especially thank fathers like my own who have (and continue to) support and inspire their daughters to dream big and strive for greatness.

Your encouragement, wisdom, and belief in our potential have made all the difference. Here's to celebrating you today and every day for being our first champions and lifelong mentors.

Thank you for being our heroes!

CARRYING OUT A FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT

Prior to the design stage, which is what most people are excited about, it is necessary to conduct a site analysis. Understand your zoning coordinates, what kind of permits you need to carry out the project, conducting soil tests (which will inform you on the type of foundation you are going to need to build for your building to remain durable and stand the test of time). The data that is gathered here will then be used by your Project Manager to successfully carry out your building project.

A crucial element to the pre-construction phase is asking oneself what the reason for their land acquisition is. This will then inform them what kind of land/plot they need to purchase.

Yes, ideally, one needs to know what they are acquiring the piece of land for prior to purchasing it. Admittedly, sometimes a challenge is faced here because some people may already have a plot in their possession which they could have acquired through various means, including inheritance. In this instance, the onus is upon the owner to fully understand what kind of plot they have, what opportunities exist that are open to this type of land, and what limitations they have so that they can always be within the bounds of compliance.

An important question to ask yourself is, "What do I want to do with this land?"

The latest installment of Business Central with Oakantse Alfred is up on my YouTube channel. I had a sit down with Ziana Moitshubedi, the Managing Director at Wrangler Facilities, a construction company. Mr. Moitshubedi has three decades worth of experience in the field of construction and he is also a lecturer; his acumen in the industry is absolute gold. We covered bases far and wide as far as Pre-Construction goes.

There is important information one must know prior to the actual construction process, as well as key activities that need to be carried out. Mr. Moitshubedi gave some much needed englightenment that will really assist you as you get ready to begin construction.

Click on the thumbnail to watch the episode.

Do come back to share some insights you picked up. Remember to subscribe and engage ✨

Pre-Construction

Thank you to everyone who sent through their business and property-development related questions on the various Brand OA platforms.

I enjoyed answering each one and it is my sincere hope that the responses I shared were enlightening and assisted you accordingly.

For one-on-one consultations, send an email to [email protected] or send a message/call 78 377 488

Watch the full Q&A video for this month’s edition on my YouTube channel.