18 Nov 2019

Speakers at the second edition of Mosadi Tota concert underscored the need for financial stability, accountability for the self, adoption of a multi-faceted approach to entrepreneurship and the need to adapt to digital platforms to advance their businesses.

Officially opening the event at Ba Isago at Gaborone over the weekend former cabinet minister Ms Dorcas Makgato emphasised the need to maintain a personal balance sheet which specifically lists one’s assets and liabilities.

Mosadi Tota is a women empowerment initiative aimed at encouraging team work amongst women, networking to uncover and appreciate hidden talents, supporting and fostering growth for women in the arts and culture industry.

The overall goal is to create an enabling environment that would keep young women busy and safe from activities that could expose them to vulnerability.

“Just like any company, if you want to be sustainable you must have a balance sheet especially before making any investments,” she advised.

In addition she highlighted the necessity for one to be responsible and accountable.

“This brings me to the issue which some people brought up recently, asking why the President did not appoint me as a Specially Elected Member of Parliament or cabinet minister. Listen, it is not his business that I stood up . I stood for what I believed in and accepted the consequences that came with it. I am therefore responsible and accountable for the self that I am,” she said.

Ms Makgato competed for a Parliamentary seat in Sefhare- Ramokgonami constituency in this year’s general elections where she lost to Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang.

She emphasised that she took it all in her stride and is comfortable with the person that she is even without a position.

“I therefore cannot wallow in self-pity to ask why me? Why not me?”

Regarding finances, Ms Makgato advised women to always have at least an equivalent of six months salary that could sustain them in the interim if they decide to walk away from their jobs.

“Those who have defined themselves as workers, you can never sustain life as a worker for the rest of your life,” she said highlighting that she runs a company that produces 600 tonnes of tomatoes per season.

She therefore challenged women to create legacies that they can be remembered for based on their value systems and norms.

Social influencer Ms Keotshepile Motseonageng alias Berry Heart spoke about the need to be multi-faceted and diverse in entrepreneurship.

Though Ms Motseonageng is known for being an artist and poet, she has invested in a swimwear line, a restaurant which also provides catering services as well as a social media marketing platform.

“Given trends online, I can confidently say that my biggest pay cheque comes from social media marketing. I have worked with some of the biggest brands such as Total and Choppies,” she said.

She revealed that she has also invested in being multi-lingual, fluent in French, German and currently learning Japanese.

 “This makes me attractive as an online marketer who can appeal to a wide audience of different languages,” she stated.

As such she encouraged entrepreneurs to diversify their portfolios and to have online presence. Ends