Friday 9th August, 2013 saw the excitingsecond instalment of the StLouis Export Top 40 Under 40 CrystalChats held at Lansmore Masa Square.St Louis Export’s Top 40 Under 40 is aninitiative which has brought together differentindividuals under the age of 40. Theseare people who have shown a commitmentto positive change in their environments.The initiative has already seen its inauguralCrystal Chats forum inspire thought leadershipdiscussions amongst attendees andthe public as a whole.
The second CrystalChats evening proved to be equally wellreceived.The latest instalment brought to life thetheme “Pioneers – The Road Less Travelled.”The event featured four of Botswana’sleading thinkers, musicians, sportscoaches, business men, writers and entertainers,including Top 40 Under 40 nominees,Monametsi Kalayamotho and Thato‘Scar’ Matlhabaphiri.Amongst the guests in attendance wererenowned public fi gure, judge, humanrights activist and writer, Unity Dow. Dowearned acclaim for her stance on women’srights, serving as the plaintiff in a landmarkcase that allowed the children of women byforeign nationals to be considered Batswana,effectively shaking up the law fraternityin Botswana.Current Gaborone United coach MajorDavid Bright served as the second inspiringspeaker.
The former Township Rollers andMogoditshane Fighters coach is consideredBotswana’s most successful coach. Brightwent on to become the fi rst Motswana tocoach in South Africa’s elite league. Hecoached Engen Santos before moving onto First Division side, Polokwane City, formerlyknown as Bay United.One of Botswana’s few lyrically-giftedMCs, Scar, was also amongst the speakingpanel. Scar is a twice-nominated artist fortwo categories in the Channel O Spirit ofAfrica Music Video Awards, having championedthe way for many aspiring rappersby releasing a full length hip hop album.Kalayamotho, also a catalyst began hiscareer as a businessman and entrepreneurover 12 years ago and has made his markin the IT world in Botswana.
Through hisleadership and entrepreneurial skills, hebuilt Moro Group into what it is today.“We are very excited that the Top 40 Under40 is making such big waves in areasthat we think are of high importance in ourcountry. The fi rst Crystal Chat was an enormoussuccess and has piqued the interest ofmany Batswana. We hope to build on moreof that success with subsequent CrystalChats,” said KBL Premium Beer MarketingManager, Amakura Erbynn.St Louis Export’s Crystal Chats create aforum for sharing of ideas and philosophies,encouraging guests to learn something new.The platform continues to live true to itsobjective of encouraging Batswana to recogniseand celebrate their own ‘catalysts’within society.