Otlotleng (Chris) Moleme, Customer Acquisition Coordinator at Tsebo Solutions Group, describes himself as a “charismatic introvert” someone who may be quiet when first meeting people but comes alive when the conversation turns meaningful. At just 23, Otlotleng has already lived in more than fourteen different neighbourhoods across South Africa. While that level of change might have unsettled many young people, it became one of the experiences that shaped his greatest strengths: adaptability, curiosity, and the ability to build relationships across diverse backgrounds.

Now settled a few minutes from Tsebo Solutions Group’s headquarters in Sandton, Gauteng, he serves as the company’s Group Customer Acquisition Coordinator, a role that places market intelligence, strategic research, and stakeholder engagement at the centre of his working week.

“Growing up, I was a chameleon. Living in so many different communities taught me how to read a room, adapt to different environments, and find common ground with almost anyone,” says Otlotleng. “Every move exposed me to new people, perspectives, and ways of thinking. Looking back, those experiences taught me how to connect with people and remain comfortable in unfamiliar situations.”

On any given week, you’ll find Otlotleng knee-deep in competitor analysis, drafting executive reports, tracking industry shifts, and coordinating meetings between business units. It’s the kind of work that happens behind the scenes, the scaffolding that helps strategic decisions take shape.

What he loves most? Uncovering insights that shift a leadership team’s thinking.

“I believe my work makes the biggest difference by helping leaders make informed decisions,” he says. “There’s something genuinely exciting about finding a piece of market intelligence that opens up a new opportunity for the business.”

That excitement is fuelled by a deep curiosity that has followed him throughout his life. Whether learning about new industries, understanding consumer behaviour, or exploring emerging market trends, Otlotleng is driven by a desire to understand how things work and how they can be improved.

Before joining Tsebo, Otlotleng was building his résumé the old-fashioned way: showing up, staying curious, and figuring it out. He gained experience across sales, marketing, customer relations, and digital marketing. He also volunteered as a mentor at KairosBridge, helping younger professionals navigate brand positioning, content creation, and personal development.

One highlight was leading the marketing campaign for Khusto Mokoena, the 2020 Mr South Africa runner-up’s sponsorship initiative, a high-visibility project that demanded strategic planning, multi-channel execution, and strong stakeholder management. He also appeared on Wits Radio during Heritage Month to discuss culture and identity, sharing how his experiences across different communities shaped his outlook on life and relationships.

“I wish someone had told me earlier: you don’t need to have everything figured out before you start. Growth happens while you are moving forward, not while you are waiting to feel ready,” says Otlotleng.

When asked what he would tell other young South Africans navigating the same uncertain terrain, Otlotleng doesn’t reach for clichés. He speaks from experience:

“Your biggest strength right now is your energy and willingness to learn. Employers value attitude and adaptability just as much as experience. Put yourself out there apply, network, volunteer, keep learning.”

And on rejection, he is philosophical:

“It is not failure. It is part of the journey. Every door that doesn’t open teaches you something.”

The advice that has stayed with him longest came from a mentor early in his career: stay curious.

“That stuck,” he says. “Because experience takes time, but curiosity creates opportunity.”

South Africa’s 2026 Youth Month theme, RESET@50: The Future Calls!, could have been written with someone like Otlotleng in mind. It calls on young people to be drivers of inclusive economic growth, social cohesion, and national renewal. It asks them to start now, not later.

Otlotleng already has. And if fourteen homes, a Wits Radio debut, and a seat at Tsebo’s strategy table are anything to go by, the future he’s building is very much worth watching.

ENDS/