16 Jun 2016

Some residents of the Southern district have applauded government for the Gender Affairs grants initiative.

They said yesterday in Kanye during the southern region preparatory meeting for the 17^th annual National Women Exposition to be held at Ditshupo Hall in Gaborone from the 26^th of June to the 2^nd of July.

One of the residents Mr Keberekile Pule said the initiative has helped both young and elderly women to do business and create employment for themselves and others.

Mr Pule also CIIr for Mabutsane/Kanaku ward said many residents in his area have developed interest to be assisted through the programme after he invited the department to address them last year.

Mr Pule said before the address, some residents were disinterested to take up the initiative assuming they would be expected to repay later. 

However, Mr Pule has encouraged residents to explore opportunities in other sectors rather than venturing into the agriculture related only.

Meanwhile the senior gender officer Ms Tebogo Motlogelwa said women were the hardest hit by poverty than their male counterparts.

She argued that since most men were bread winners, separation of spouses usually left unemployed women to fend for children on their own. As a result of the vulnerability that naturally came with being ditched, she said some women indulged in illicit activities with a view to generate income.

Ms Motlogelwa said her department also trained women on  business expansion and marketing among others.

One of the attendants and business owner Ms Bonolo Selotlego said her enterprise has experienced growth since she started attending mentorship workshops offered by the department. 

Ms Selotlego who would be attending the Expo for the fifth time said it afforded attendants the opportunity to benchmark on others. 

A poultry farmer Ms Tebo Dube whose business was funded through the initiative, also encouraged the youth to take advantage of the programme. She described the Expo as an eye opener for local business owners.

Meanwhile the Kanye based poverty eradication officer Ms Godiraone Tshiamo said the workshop was intended to give the attendants an opportunity to network, share ideas and experiences.ENDS