22 Apr 2025

Dr Thabo Seleke’s journey from the dusty streets of Mochudi to the halls of global health policy is one marked by perseverance, academic brilliance and an unrelenting desire to make a difference. 

Born in Mochudi, his early schooling took him to Selebi-Phikwe where he laid the foundation for a career in the public service. 

Driven by a curiosity for how systems work and how they can better serve people, he later enrolled at the University of Botswana to study Public Administration. 

Upon graduating, he was honoured with the prestigious Roderick Ross Award, bestowed upon the most outstanding student in the Department of Political and Administrative Studies in the Faculty of Social Sciences. 

That early recognition marked the beginning of a career defined by purpose. In 2001, he joined the Ministry of Health where he served diligently for two years before transitioning to the Botswana Telecommunications Corporation. 

Despite a thriving professional path, Dr Seleke never lost sight of his academic ambitions. 

A scholarship opportunity from Belgium, reserved for SADC scholars, allowed him to pursue a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. 

That pursuit would eventually catapult him onto the global stage. 

Fast forward to June 2024, Dr Seleke successfully completed his PhD in Health Policy and Systems Research at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine within the Faculty of Public Health and Policy. 

By October, he had defended his thesis and in February 2025, he walked across the graduation stage in celebration of a significant academic milestone. 

A month later, the university formally endorsed his thesis following rigorous peer review. 

In an interview with BOPA, Dr Seleke describes his study as ground breaking. 

While many studies on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) have been conducted in Africa, his is the first to employ qualitative research methods to examine the subject. 

His findings offer critical insights into Botswana’s national response to NCDs, which by 2021 accounted for 38 per cent of local mortality. 

He notes that South Africa’s rate is even higher at 58 per cent while the global average stands at 34 per cent. 

“To date, there are gaps in scholarly work and understanding regarding NCDs responses in Africa,” he observes. 

He stresses the urgent need for Botswana to adopt a multi-sectoral approach to preventing and controlling NCDs, one that mirrors the country’s coordinated response to HIV/AIDS. Dr Seleke now plans to engage policymakers and stakeholders and will soon host a public lecture to share his findings more widely. 

His passion for health policy and systems reform is further evident in his academic pursuits. 

He is a Fulbright Scholar, having earned an MSc in International Health Policy and Management from Brandeis University in Boston, Massachusetts. 

He also completed a fellowship at the Duke University’s Sanford School of Global Health and has worked with the World Health Organisation in Geneva on pandemic and epidemic policy. 

Further training at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Boston University School of Medicine where he studied ethical issues in international health research as well as advanced qualitative research at King’s College London, have fortified his credentials. 

His participation in the Global Leadership Training Programme for Sustainable Development in Africa and epidemiology training in The Gambia round up his formidable academic resume. 

Dr Seleke also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Management from the University of Derby in the UK. 

Beyond academia, Dr Seleke has made practical contributions to health policy and systems across the continent. 

His consultancy work has included projects for the World Bank in Lesotho (IKAP study) and the European Commission’s initiative on strengthening community health systems for HIV treatment and care. 

He has collaborated with universities across Europe including in France and Finland and has been involved in regional studies in countries such as Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia and Tanzania. 

Currently, Dr Seleke serves as co-investigator on a research project focused on cervical cancer, continuing his unwavering commitment to addressing the most pressing health challenges facing Botswana and the region. ENDS