Mathata Gasennelwe – an unexpected inspiration

• by gmashworth
• in Miscellaneous
• posted May 7, 2018

Because of You, I Didn’t Give Up
A personal reflection on meeting Mathata Gasennelwe

My first visit to Botswana was in 2006, and it had a profound effect on me. To my surprise, I could genuinely envision living there. After returning to the UK with my Motswana wife, we began saving with the goal of returning—not just to visit, but to spend more time exploring Gaborone and learning whether it could be our new home. Our first trip had only allowed for a couple of days in the capital, with most of our time spent with family in Maun.

By 2008, we’d saved enough for an extended stay in Gaborone. In preparation, I reached out to people online, hoping to find advice from professionals already based in Botswana. I sent emails to numerous individuals across various companies, but only one person replied—a gentleman by the name of Mathata Gasennelwe, the Managing Director of Horizon Ogilvy & Mather. He gave me his number and suggested we set up a meeting once I arrived in Gaborone.

A few days after landing, I gave him a call. He asked if I was free the following day. He didn’t dictate his schedule or make it seem like a chore—he made time for me. That simple gesture left a lasting impression. It was not the behaviour I expected from someone in such a high position.

When we arrived at his office, we were led into a meeting room where refreshments and snacks had been thoughtfully arranged. Mathata greeted us warmly and sat down for what felt more like a friendly chat than a business meeting. He took genuine interest in my wife’s background, asked about our plans, and wanted to learn more about me before even opening my portfolio. Within minutes, it felt like we were catching up with an old friend.

When he did review my work, he offered constructive feedback and thoughtful encouragement. He supported the idea of us moving to Botswana and made a surprising suggestion—that I consider becoming self-employed instead of searching for a job. It wasn’t about what was convenient for him. His suggestion was selfless, practical, and rooted in genuine care. He explained that salaries paid in Pula would inevitably be compared to those in pounds, and this could lead to frustration or a sense of being undervalued. He believed self-employment could be more fulfilling—and even offered to help get me started by giving me freelance work. If that didn’t pan out, he said we could talk about a potential role at Horizon Ogilvy & Mather.

We must have talked for hours. I couldn’t quite believe that a man of his stature would dedicate so much time to a stranger, a foreigner, with no agenda other than to help.

The idea of leaving the UK to move halfway across the world wasn’t easy. Friends and family struggled to understand our decision. If we had said we were moving to Spain, Canada or Australia, the reaction might have been different—more excitement, perhaps even envy. But Botswana? For many, it was unfamiliar territory. Rather than building excitement, I spent a lot of time defending our decision. It was emotionally draining.

Meeting Mathata was a breath of fresh air. He gave me confidence in my work, reassurance in our plans, and a renewed belief in myself. After returning to the UK, we kept in touch via email. But not long after, in 2009, I was saddened to learn that Mathata had passed away following an illness.

It took us another five years—much longer than we had planned—but we finally relocated to Botswana. I launched my own graphic design company, Blue Zebra Creative. Since then, I’ve worked with many wonderful people, some of whom I can call friends. But I haven’t come across anyone quite like Mathata again. The warmth, humility, and integrity he carried were rare—even more so given his status and success.

He used his influence not for self-gain, but to uplift others. I had hoped he might become a mentor—someone I could look up to and learn from. In a single meeting, he left an impression that has stayed with me ever since.

Over the years, I’ve heard others speak about him with similar admiration. Mathata wasn’t just a talented professional; he was a man of deep character. He embodied botho—a value I believe we must protect and cherish. His legacy lives on, not only in the stories we tell but through the impact he made on others.

In 2010, a year after his passing, the “Mathata Gasennelwe Best Marketing Graduate Award” was established to honour his contributions to youth entrepreneurship. The award includes a mentorship programme, helping winners grow within the marketing field. In 2013, he was posthumously honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the inaugural Association of Communication Agencies awards.

If there’s a moral to this story, it’s to follow Mathata’s example. There’s a quote I once read, the author is unknown:

“I want to inspire people. I want someone to look at me and say, ‘Because of you, I didn’t give up.’”

Mathata is one of a handful of people who inspired me—and because of him, I didn’t give up. I won’t give up.