23 Oct 2016

Women in Business Association (WIBA) on Friday October 21celebrated with awards women who have made it in the business industry.

This year there were 36 nominees who had to compete under six categories, including the exiting one being the male dominated award, which seeks to celebrate those women making a mark in areas previously dominated by men like architecture, mining and engineering.

The event held in Gaborone saw Ms Dudu Brook of Dudubrook Quilting scooping the businesswoman award of the year and pocketing P50 00 courtesy of Stanbic Bank.

She also got P25 000 worthy of diamond jewelry from Debswana as well as P5 000 from Mosele legal services. Time was ripe for Ms Brook to shine as she also emerged the winner in the social entrepreneur of the year category.

Ms Brook expressed her gratitude toward winning the two awards dedicating the award to the women of Old Naledi. She encouraged other women to stand for themselves and star projects they can benefit from.

In other categories, Ms Sethebe Manake of Vintage Properties won the male dominated; Ms Finkie Tshabadira of Speed Services won Innovator of the year category, while Ms Boitumelo Gosekwang scooped the award of informal business category.

The young female of the year category was won by Ms Malebogo Marumoagae while the female collaboration award went to Ms Gopolang Dodo and Ms Odirile Ramontsho who owns Travel Agency business.

Winners will be offered sponsorship of business courses and the nominees were awarded with recognition certificates.

Officiating at the ceremony, deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs under international security, Mr Montshiwa Montshiwa said the awards presented an opportunity for business women to demonstrate their capabilities and contribution to the socio-economic development of the country.

Mr Montshiwa highlighted that government continued to prioritise gender equality and women empowerment particularly their economic empowerment.

He said the theme of this year’s awards  being Infinite sparkle, her success story, recognised the positive socio-economic contribution made by Batswana women since independence.

“This evening is a continuation of celebrating our golden jubilee. I trust that most if not all of us, still have a hangover of September 30, which was the day in history where every Motswana celebrated their pride and unity,” he said.

Mr Montshiwa further appreciated effort made by WIBA in their s contribution to promoting gender equality and the empowerment of Women especially their economic empowerment.

WIBA president Ms Tumi Mbaakanyi said the awards showed growth as there were many applicants as compared to last year.

In her remarks, WIBA patron Ms Patronella Matumo commended all women who took part in the WIBA awards for their effort and hard work.

Ms Matumo encouraged women to always read and learn from others in order for them to succeed in their businesses, adding that they should know exactly why they are in business and be focused.

She said for them to succeed they should network with those who has succeeded in business to learn from them how they made it.

This year the event gathered sponors from Stanbic Bank Botswana, Botswana Oil, Debswana, Village Imaging, Earth Vitamins, Dee Zone Productions, Resource Logic, Ba-Isago University, O3, Mobile Enterprises, The Voice, and Business Weekly newspapers among others. ENDS