Former Deloitte Partner Moatlhodi Lekaukau joins Cresta Marakanelo
Moatlhodi Lekaukau, a former Partner at Deloitte, has been appointed as chairman of the board at hospitality chain Cresta Marakanelo. The appointment, which is accompanied by another major executive addition, comes after the retirement of two incumbent board members at the firm.
Moatlhodi Lekaukau has had over 17 years of experience in the financial world. Having obtained a Bachelors of Commerce and a Masters in Accounting from the University of Cape Town, Lekaukau joined Big Four professional services firm Deloitte in their Johannesburg office. He spent 12 years at Deloitte South Africa, where he began as a consultant and eventually ascended to the rank of Partner and Head of Mergers and Acquisitions for the country.
During his time at the firm, Lekaukau supervised a number of major transactions, within South Africa and across the continent. For example, he led the privatisation of the Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC), which involved an evaluation of assets, due diligence practices, and a structuring of shares at the corporation. In addition, he also managed the restructuring of the Bokamoso Private Hospital, also in Botswana.
From Deloitte, Lekaukau moved on to Standard Chartered Bank in Botswana, where he spent five years as Managing Director, overseeing strategy at the firm. Simultaneously, he holds a number of executive positions across the business world. These include; Executive Chairman at YMH Media Group; Chairman of Metropolitan Life Botswana Limited, and; Director of African Banking Corporation Zambia Limited.
Now, Lekaukau has joined yet another board, this time as chairman of the board at Cresta Marakanelo, a Botswana-based hospitality chain. Founded in 1987, Cresta Marakanelo has grown into one of the biggest hotel chains in Botswana, currently operating with 12 hotels (including one in Zambia) and over 1000 rooms.
Lekaukau joins alongside Tshepidi Moremong, a former Goldman Sachs employee who joins as an ordinary member of the board. The pair will replace outgoing members Maria Nthebolan and Elias Dewah, who joined in 2008 and 2010 respectively.
Commenting on his appointment, Lekaukau said, “I look forward to being an integral part of Cresta Marakanelo’s continued growth as a major player in the tourism and hospitality sector of the country.” Lekaukau faces some significant years ahead, as the South African economy, and the hospitality industry in particular, prepare themselves to capitalise on hosting the Rugby World Cup 2023.
