By Diana Rose Wairumbi, africanews.com
Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, Botswana’s newly appointed 30 year old minister is being celebrated on social media by Africans, many terming her appointment rare and should be replicated across Africa.
Botswana’s new president Mokgweetsi Masisi, who in his inaugural address pledged to invest in the youth and create more job opportunities for them appointed Kenewendo as one of the ministers in his cabinet.
Kenewendo, appointed the Investment, Trade and Industry Minister has become Botswana’s youngest minister, two years after she was appointed as a member of parliament by the former president Ian Khama.
Some social media users expressed the joy of her appointment.
Can't keep calm! @BWGovernment just appointed Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry. She is 31!
Africa, we can't go nowhere if we continue to block potential & skills of young people, young women in particular! #Botswana continue to set the bar high pic.twitter.com/Kb2bm6PBmj— Rosebell Kagumire (@RosebellK) April 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/MbalulaFikile/status/982191129998245889
#BogoloKenewendo deverses celebration. Honourable Minister at 31. 🇧🇼 pic.twitter.com/sAR2W2LLUc
— BOZRAH (@Essau_EM83) April 5, 2018
Congratulations #BogoloKenewendo for your appointment. Young, Smart and indeed very inspiring! Make us proud as you serve the people with integrity.
— Theddy Ladislaus (@Theddylp) April 5, 2018
Kenewendo is no stranger to the portfolio she’s been tasked to manage.
She once worked as a trade economist in the Ministry of Trade and Industry in the Government of Ghana.
The youthful minister is passionate about poverty eradication, development, reducing inequalities and empowering youth and women.
She founded Molaya Kgosi, a women mentorship and leadership programme which was inspired by the young African women leaders’ forum which was hosted in 2011 by Michelle Obama.
At the 64th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, she was one of two youth delegates to represent Botswana where she presented a statement of African youth to the UN Secretary General.
Kenewendo attended the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom and holds an MSc in International Economics and was a recipient of a prestigious Chevening Scholarship in 2012.
When she is not aiming for the sky and making history as a young achiever, Kenewendo spends her time doing yoga, travelling, reading and has previously said ‘a tall glass of wine with a friend always does the trick’.
