The awards will take place on November 22-24, 2024 at the Entrepreneurship Village in Nigeria. They symbolise a recognition bestowed upon outstanding entrepreneurs and leaders from across the globe, each representing their country. In an interview with Arts&Culture, Mothibedi explained that he was nominated because of exceptional contributions as a researcher, global design and innovation lead, entrepreneur, global impact and for his unwavering dedication to design innovation that earned him that esteemed nomination.
The event will be presented with the GEN Award by global leaders including the chairman of Global Entrepreneurship Network, Jeff Hoffman, founder of Reebok, Joe Foster, Dr Christina Rahm, Sir Prof Gabriele Pao-Pei Andreoli, Dr Michael Tjalve, Mark Lindsay, Ibukun Awosika, Dr Rabbi Abbadie, Edward Grant, Prof Lawrence Krauss, Dr Mart McClellan, Dr Gerry Curatola, Fela Durotoye and Funke Felix-Adejumo. Mothibedi said the calibre of highly influential world leaders presenting these awards symbolises a powerful endorsement of his profile to the global community, including international organisations, embassies, home and foreign affairs departments, governments and NGOs. Furthermore, he indicated that this landmark event was designed to celebrate and catalyse the spirit of entrepreneurship worldwide while spotlighting the individuals who made tremendous impacts in their communities. He also explained that the prestigious global award positioned him and Nako Timepieces as an internationally recognised industry leader.
Mothibedi added that it validated his work and expertise, creating market demand and significantly increasing his value in the marketplace. Among special guests who will grace the event include the Grand Patron of Africa’s young Entrepreneurs Organisation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria), and the Grand Matron, Folorunso Alakija (group managing director of The Rose of Sharon Group), Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Executive Governor of Ondo State, Nigeria) and Max Zammit, who is the Vice President Eastern Region of Malta. “As a brand and most importantly as a company, Nako Timepieces has come far since our first Nako timepiece. We are ready to champion bold business and creative initiatives, we can execute an innovative vision flawlessly, and our commitment to bringing extraordinary timepieces to the world via storytelling and heritage is unmatched. We expanded Botswana’s commercial and industrial horizons through emerging industries (in the context) advanced manufacturing technologies, such as consumer product design, watchmaking, mass customisation, product service systems (PSS), advanced polymer engineering, AI-Driven Material Optimisation, On-Demand Manufacturing, 4D Printing and Distributed Additive Manufacturing of watch components, along with others,” he explained.
Moreover, Mothibedi pointed out that Timeless Heritage presented their refined brand philosophy as a part of their progressive values embedded in their 2024 Global Growth Strategy, whose objective is to increase the variety and classes of high-quality timepieces; to advance in 4IR Technology and Planform Business such as apps, user-interfaces, customer acquisition and retention, data management, digital sales and distribution; to design and manufacture more compelling products, with locally sourced raw materials (diamonds, leather and glass), and to enter world markets and to grow globally. He, however, said they faced challenges such as accessibility to tooling and machining watch components in Africa. He pointed out that they needed to win the award because their exceptional contributions to entrepreneurship, leadership, global impact, and unwavering dedication to innovation have earned one this esteemed nomination. He said the nomination meant a lot to him and Nako Timepices, as it was a dream come true and a powerful endorsement to the global community.
