Wilderness is pleased to announce the appointment of Tafa Gobe Tafa as Corporate & External Affairs Manager in Botswana, a new role that underscores the company’s deepening commitment to community empowerment, sustainable development, and impactful partnerships across Botswana.
A seasoned Motswana leader with over two decades of experience in tourism, stakeholder engagement, and environmental sustainability, Tafa joins Wilderness at a pivotal time. His appointment reinforces the Group’s long-term Impact strategy built around three central pillars: Educate, Empower, and Protect.
In this senior role, Tafa will work in close collaboration with the Botswana Managing Director and the Wilderness Group Impact Manager to lead the formulation and implementation of community-focused initiatives. He will also be responsible for nurturing strong and meaningful relationships with key stakeholders — including Government, communities, and the media — to ensure Wilderness’ continued recognition as a responsible tourism leader both nationally and globally.
“We are delighted to welcome Tafa to the Wilderness family”, said Joe Matome, Caretaker Managing Director of Wilderness Botswana. “His deep knowledge of Botswana’s tourism landscape, combined with his strategic acumen and passion for sustainable impact, make him the ideal person to champion our corporate and community engagement efforts. His leadership will be instrumental in ensuring we continue to grow with purpose, integrity, and in partnership with the people and places that define us”.
Tafa’s extensive experience includes serving as Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Botswana Tourism Organisation, Executive Manager for Investment & Product Development, and more recently as New Business Development Manager at Qorokwe (Pty) Ltd. His leadership has been central to shaping tourism development projects, securing leases and concessions, and building innovative CSR frameworks that empower local communities.
As Corporate & External Affairs Manager, Tafa will also contribute to identifying new business opportunities, securing and maintaining concessions and leases, and aligning Wilderness’ impact-driven projects with national development priorities and community aspirations. He will play a key role in ensuring that Wilderness’ Botswana operations continue to foster inclusive growth and conservation-led development across the regions it operates in, from Kwedi to Sankuyo, the Linyanti and beyond.
Speaking on his appointment, Tafa said, “I am honoured to join Wilderness at such an exciting juncture. This role is more than just corporate engagement; it is about championing a model of tourism that is authentic, inclusive, and transformative. I look forward to working with communities, Government, and all partners to drive lasting change and ensure that Wilderness continues to thrive as a trusted steward of Botswana’s natural and cultural heritage through purpose, partnership and impact”.
Tafa will be based between Maun and Gaborone. His efforts have already begun supporting national-level collaboration and regional community implementation.