Ms Thamae is a Forest Scientist by profession. She acquired a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and Environmental Science from the University of Botswana, and MSc in Forest Sciences from the University of Stellenbosch (Republic of South Africa). Currently, she is the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications, Knowledge, and Technology.

In her current portfolio, Ms Thamae oversees national research and knowledge generation, management, beneficiation, and utilization for contributing to Botswana’s advancement to attaining a knowledge-based economy. Her career started in civil society, where she served in various portfolios up to the position of Executive Director of the Forestry Association of Botswana.

Ms Thamae is seasoned in forestry research and community mobilization for woodland and natural resource management, which she has done for 13 years. For the past 19 years, she has been coordinating the defining of Botswana’s National system of Innovation. Such include the development and review of policies and strategies relevant for research, science, technology and innovation.

Ms Thamae subscribes to inclusive and sustainable development through effective and efficient environmental management. She believes in, and supports establishing collaborations locally with industry and academia, as well as internationally for knowledge exchange, resource mobilization, and sharing.