Africa-Press – Botswana. Three years after setting up her medicine aesthetic clinic, MEDI-Glow, Dr Wedu Somolekae has received a prestigious recognition as one of Africa’s young promising entrepreneurs.
The honour has earned her a slot in the prestigious list of the Forbes Africa 30 under 30 class of 2023 also dubbed the Tomorrows Titans.
Not only that, the 29-year-old also graces the latest cover of Forbes Africa Magazine alongside four other ‘stars’ regarded as the continent’s game changers and young trendsetters in various fields. Dr Somolekae appears on the cover with Nigeria’s Oluwabusayo Victoria Abiri, Mutethia Mbaabu of Kenya, Koaile Monaheng of Lesotho and South Africa’s Khethokuhle ‘Kay Yarms’ Ngonyama.
In an interview with BOPA, she describes the recognition as a humbling experience which will create opportunities for growth for her both personally and professionally and a boost to the clinic.
Dr Soms, as she is called by those close to her, sees Forbes Africa through its platforms as a gateway to a world of possibilities. “Not many people know about Medi-Glow Aesthetics. The exposure through the publication is somehow putting the business on the picture. It also affirms recognition of my efforts on the international platform,” she says.
Throughout the years, Forbes activities have been taking place in countries such as the USA, Israel, Germany and Abu Dhabi hence limited opportunities for young Batswana and the rest of the continent to participate.
It was President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s strong belief that changed the playfield after learning that Forbes was looking for a location to host the Forbes Africa summit and he threw Botswana’s hat into the ring.
This provided an opportunity for young Batswana to compete with the rest of the world as they shared what they can offer.
Equally so, Dr Somolekae regards Forbes Africa as a platform for young entrepreneurs to be inspired as it highlights the best out of different professions while it also affords the opportunity to share ideas and network.
“Access to different people opens the mind as you can tap in their different areas of specialisation be it technology to expand on your venture,” she says.
She says being recognised alongside other young promising giants in the continent has somehow propelled her to get out of comfort zone. Already she is inspired by the competitive urge she picked from her peers during their short interaction for the photo shoot in Johannesburg, South Africa.
As the country positions itself as a hub of entrepreneurial talent across industries, Dr Somolekae encourages both the boy and girl child not to shy away from pursuing their dreams.
“Holding on to your dream in the face of those challenges will keep you going on. Understand that challenges are part of the process and they make you stronger,” she says.
She reflects on how she quit her formal employment that provided job security to follow what she believed in, without basic foundation on business management.
Armed with only a medical degree from University of Botswana and training on medicine aesthetics, Dr Somolekae decided to be an innovator and self-starter by pursuing a venture that is still at infancy in Botswana.
Aware of the challenges she might face, she did not preserve as she hints that the first months were not easy as she would spend days without a customer.
“But I am happy now that Batswana have started to respond well to my services even though it is something new to them,” she says.
Through her venture she has created employment for six Batswana of which three are permanent while others are on temporary basis.
Dr Soms says her mission is to also contribute to changing the course of Africa’s development.
“In order to make a huge impact, start small,” she says, adding that her focus is not only on aesthetics, but digging deep on the mental health aspects of her clients especially that she is an advocate of preventive care.
On what it means to be a Forbes lister, she sums up by saying “…it affirms the courage to wholeheartedly chase the dream with everything you have and the strength and determination to succeed despite the odds.”
This is the second time a young Motswana makes it to the Forbes Africa under 30 magazine cover. The April 2020 edition featured Thobo Khathola of Lion Tutoring as one of the four promising men and women who are forging ahead with credible creative and profound strategies to shape the future.
According to Forbes Africa website this year’s final 30 honorees which include Dr Somolekae were chosen from a group of more than 1 000 candidates including past entrants.
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