Main Home
Home
Organizing Committee
Benefits and Awards
Applicant Guide
Programme Schedule
Programme Supporters
Alumni Association
News
Gallery
Contact Us

 

Introduction
Structure and role of the Organizing Committee
 
The Believe Begin Become Organizing Committee (OC) serves as an advisory body to the TechnoServe implementing team on all aspects of the design and management of the programme. The committee is made up of outstanding Swazi business people who embody the characteristics and accomplishments of a successful entrepreneur. The TechnoServe / Swaziland Country Director is also proud to serve as a member of the committee.

Members’ insights and support are instrumental in the success and sustainability of Believe Begin Become. The OC meets up to twice per month and members attend all major events throughout the programme. The Believe Begin Become management team thanks the members of the OC for their astute guidance and for their unwavering commitment to the programme.

Leslie Johnston
Country Director, TechnoServe / Swaziland
View website

Ms. Leslie Johnston is the Country Director of TechnoServe / Swaziland, which officially launched the USAID-funded Swaziland Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Program in February 2006. Overseeing a staff of 10 and a budget of $8.9 million, Ms. Johnston is responsible for identifying, growing and developing Swazi-owned small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) in order to create expanded employment and income opportunities for the country’s rural poor.

Prior to opening the TechnoServe office in Swaziland, Ms. Johnston was Director of New Business Development for TechnoServe / Mozambique. In that position she was responsible for formulating and implementing program strategy for driving economic growth through horticulture, tourism and wood products sector development. Ms. Johnston led the three-year USAID/Mozambique-funded Rural Enterprise and Financial Services program, managed TechnoServe’s USDA-funded Rural Enterprise Innovation Grant Fund, and directed a $1.5 million three-year mentorship program between Mozambican entrepreneurs and leading U.S. corporations such as Cargill, Liz Claiborne, and McKinsey & Company.

With contributions to USAID-funded projects in Mozambique, Jamaica, and Russia, she brings significant leadership and management experience with donor-funded programs – particularly in SME development. Ms. Johnston complements this experience with her business development and strategy background in technology and financial services, having served clients as a McKinsey & Company consultant across these two sectors. Ms. Johnston completed a Masters of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and a dual Bachelor’s degree in French and Political Economics from the University of California at Berkeley, including one year studying at the Institut d’Etudes Politiques in Grenoble, France. She graduated with highest honors (Phi Beta Kappa). She lives in Mbabane, Swaziland with her husband, Stuart, and infant son, Charlie.

Mr. Phinda W. Nkosi
Deputy Director, Youth Affairs - Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs
View website

Key Responsibilities

 
  • liaise with major stakeholders in implementing all youth related activities
  • running of the Youth Affairs department
  • deputizing the director at national and international level

Qualifications

  • Corporate Finance (Towson University - Baltimore, USA)
Other Advisory Boards Serving
  • Commonwealth Youth Program (Management Advisory Board Member)
  • Swaziland National Youth Council - Ex-officio member (government representative)

Hobbies

  • Travelling, Golf and Soccer

Advice to up-coming Entrepreneurs

  • The sky is the limit

Mr. Rudi Malan
Executive Director, Personal and Business Banking - Standard Bank
View website

Key Responsibilities

  • responsible for the entire personal and business banking including distribution network

Qualifications

  • MDP - UNISA

Other Advisory Boards Serving

  • Standard Bank Swaziland Board
  • BAC - Standard Bank Swaziland
  • Stanlib Swaziland

Hobbies

  • gardening, cycling, reading and fly fishing

Advice to Up-coming Entrepreneurs

  • Believe in yourself
  • Try to have a mentor who has run his/her own business
  • Have a good business plan and test its viability
  • Test you business plan with as many other people, including a banker
 

Father Larry McDonnell
Director - Manzini Youth Care
View website

Key Responsibilities

  • Directing, managing, advising, controlling, monitoring, creating, building and fund-raising

Qualifications

  • BA Higher Diploma in Education - University of Ireland
  • Doctor of Education-Honoris causa - University of Swaziland
Other Advisory Boards Serving
  • MITC, LULOTE, SACRO, Catholic School Managers, Manzini Rotary Club, Diocese of Manzini Consultors, Rector Salesian, AMICAALL MHT, Manzini Youth Care, Orphanaid, Prince Makhosini Award Scheme, Cabrini Ministries, Salesian High School Board, Salesian Past Pupils Association, St Theresa's Schools Board
Hobbies
  • Watch the History Channel, read serious magazines, pray, talk socially about life, plan new ways to solve many problems

Advice to Up-coming Entrepreneurs

  • Take your business very seriously, plan it well, take advice from sensible and experienced people; think, speak, eat, play sleep your business; release the power of your hidden SME