CA Bids Farewell to the Chairperson of the Competition Commission

The Competition Authority and the Competition Commission officially bid farewell to the Chairperson of the Commission Dr. Onkemetse Tshosa in a ceremony that was held in Gaborone recently. Dr. Tshosa was appointed Chairperson the Competition Commission in September 2015, replacing the founding Chairperson Dr. Zein Kebonang. The Commission in the current Act serves as the Board of the Competition Authority and adjudicates cases brought before it by the Authority.

Speaking at the farewell ceremony, the then Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry Ms. Ontlametse Ward said when the history of competition is written in Botswana, copious pages will be written about Dr. Tshosa’s stellar contribution. “He did not only steer the ships of the Commission and the Authority in the right direction but guided them through some of the watershed moments.” 

Ms. Ward said Dr. Tshosa leaves the Commission having overseen the UNCTAD Peer Review exercise and the restricting of the Authority into the Competition and Consumer Authority – a process that is well on its way to maturity.  “He can also be remembered, just to name a few, by chairing the adjudication on cases such as the resale price maintenance by four wholesaler groups in Botswana. Through proper adjudication, general dealers that subscribe to banner group membership business strategies are able to decide prices for their products.” 

Dr. Tshosa left the Commission to join the High Court of Lesotho as Judge. Ms. Ward noted that Dr. Tshosa came to the Commission preceded by a glowing reputation from the impressive work that he had done at the High Court of Botswana and his rich resume as a scholar, a courtroom lawyer and a notable jurist. “When we see men move up to another calling we cannot be despondent, even as we lose some of our treasured resources. We can only celebrate the worthy contributions they have made in building this institution,” said Ward.  

In his remarks, Dr. Tshosa said he has worked with a wonderful team of people and hopesthey made an impact on competition law in Botswana.He indicate that he has worked well with the former minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, and the current one on the Apex Model, which identifies SMMEs as the backbone of the economy.

“In Lesotho I will always remember the Competition Authority and the Competition Commission, especially the cooperation you had. I don’t recall any negative reporting abou the Authority and the Commission and that is encouraging,” Dr. Tshosa said.

Ms. Thembisile Phuthego, the Vice Chairpeson of the Commission, is now Acting Chairperson of the Competition Commission.