14 Oct 2014

Standard Chartered Bank has assisted Letlhakane Thusang Basadi centre with funding worth P150 000.

The programme director of Thusang Basadi, Ms Victoria Masenya said during the official launch of Letlhakane Centre on October 9.

Ms Masenya stated that through Thusang Basadi initiative they would not only be uplifting the community but would also transform it in to a progressive community.

Women she said were pillars of development within a society in which they live, adding that it was very critical to support each other as they embark on various projects. Ms Masenya stated that the main aim of Thusang Basadi was to assist small businesses with financial and business support.

The intention was to support those women who do not ordinarily have access to conventional financial business services. She noted that the organisation provided micro loans, basic business training and saving facilities. 

Thusang Basadi was registered in 1989 and commenced operation in 1993. The organisation she said sustained itself through grants and donations, noting that Letlhakane has been assisted with funding from Standard Chartered Bank.

The Deputy District Commissioner in Boteti Mr Loeto Porati commended Standard Chartered Bank for the support ushered towards women in Letlhakane.Mr Porati stated that large scale businesses survive through support from small scale businesses, noting that they were dependent on small scale businesses in terms of growth.

In addition she observed that small scale businesses supported the economy any country world-wide. Research he said have shown that the number of small scale businesses stood at 95 per cent and have boosted the world economy by 17 per cent noting that this could attract Foreign Direct Investment.

Mr Porati advised Thusang Basadi women that the strength of a business was dependent on the entrepreneur’s dedication and commitment. He implored women to demonstrate good customer services and instill discipline upon themselves in daily running of their business ventures.

The chairperson of Thusang Basadi in Letlhakane Ms Gladys Katse said the organisation aims to positively transform the lives of womenIt purpose she said was to help women upgrade their existing businesses and support their families.

Ms Katse urged women to look for business mentors and uplift each other noting that women should not be seen as objects that could be used for money. She implored women to stand united and demonstrate to the world that they have the capacity and capability to support their families. 

One of the beneficiaries of Thusang Basadi Ms Grace Moarabi urged women to use the money sourced from the organisation for the intended purpose. Ms Moarabi who sells clothes said the organisation started assisted them with P500.00 and were now getting P20 000.  ENDS