Malesela Letsoalo
Director
Malesela has not long been appointed. More information coming soon!
What I do
I am responsible for the overall management of operations in the Palabora Foundation. I work with six business units that work with communities in sustainable development projects within the framework of the Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality integrated development programme (IDP). I joined the Foundation on 1 November 2007.
What I did before
I did a Bachelor of Science degree (in Mathematics and Physics) at the National University of Lesotho. I did a post graduate diploma in Maths and Science Education at Wits University and another post graduate diploma in Project Practical Management at the Unisa School of Business Leadership (UNISA SBL). I am currently completing a Masters of Education degree (in Technology Education) with Edith Cowan University in Australia.
I worked for the Palabora Foundation for two years in the early 90s, after which I proceeded to work for the Science Education Project (SEP) as Regional Manager. I later on left them to join PROTEC, where I became General Manager of Operations and then Chief Executive Officer. I left PROTEC in 2006 and once more joined the Palabora Foundation as Operations Manager in November 2007.
A bit about me
I have been married to Josephine Nuku Letsoalo for 21 yrs. She is also a Maths and Science graduate with a Master of Education degree in Math Education from RAU. We have four children: two boys and two girls. Our first born daughter is in 3rd year studying for a Bachelor of Science degree in Biotechnology at the University of Cape. The rest of the children are still in high school.
My hobbies are reading business, science and math education books. I am a health fanatic and always make time for a fitness spree in my life. I have taken a keen interest in traveling internationally and look forward to exploring new horizons. My work in training and development in science and math education has taken me across the length and breadth of South Africa, especially the rural areas. I like motor racing for its adrenalin generating pace.
The biggest highlight in my life was when I was appointed Chief Executive Officer of PROTEC. PROTEC was then 21 years in existence and is one of the foremost organisations that have contributed extensively to overcoming the scarce skills shortage problem by enabling young African learners to take up careers in Science, Engineering and Technology. The work that PTOTEC started continues with satellite branch programmes like PROTEC Palabora which runs a flagship PROTEC programme that has surpassed some of the benchmarks of the programme itself.
My commitment in life is to make the difference where it really counts and I am proud to once more be part of the Palabora Foundation stable. The drive to ensure that programmes that are run by the Foundation lead towards sustainable development and self reliance serves as tremendous motivation.
Run with assistance from the European Union