10 Nov 2020

In an effort to give impetus to women in business, North West District Council has taken a decision to engage Tawana Land board about developing open spaces around Maun.

The council chairman, Mr Kebareeditse Ntsogotlho told members of women in business association (WIBA) during a one day consultative workshop that it was their intention to develop open spaces into market stalls in order to house women owned businesses.

He said they were aware of challenges faced by women, which included high rentals, as highlighted by Maun regional WIBA committee.

He said the business women would be charged affordable prices as it was the council’s mandate to empower women and improve the livelihood of the communities.

Mr Ntsogotlho also noted that council had also revisited the way they had been doing things especially in tender awarding processes.

Some of the processes disadvantaged women as they competed with their male counterparts who had the financial muscle, he quipped, adding that the council had reached a conclusion that in the next financial year, some tenders would be reserved for women as well as the youth.

The council, he said had also taken a decision to procure locally made products in an effort to support local entrepreneurs.

Mr Ntsogotlho said it was worrying as the council had been buying some produce such as poultry and horticultural products from certain shops. 

He however assured the gathering that their recent leadership forum reached a consensus that all women producers should register with their association so that the council could purchase directly from them.

The council chairman also underscored the need to revisit some of the policies which he said hindered local entrepreneurs to benefit. 

He wished the government could be radical and establish a unit which would focus on women welfare in general, saying there was a perception that women could only survive through men’s assistance.

Mr Ntsogotlho said there was need to change that perception as most women were independent and had proven to be capable in operating businesses that men operated. 

He stated that it was encouraging that the government was promoting women empowerment.

For her part, WIBA secretary general, Ms Barati Seeketso explained that the organisation aimed at promoting women participation in the economy through creation of wealth, advocacy, training, mentorship and linkages. 

She also stated that they advocated for the removal of polices that hindered women to do businesses.

Ms Seeketso also noted that they recently trained women in textile industry to make them competitive in the market.

“We want women to make robust businesses just like in other countries where women funded their children’s education through farm produce. Through mentoring all the way, we can achieve that because we have partners in the market to assist in development of businesses,” she added.

Financial institutions such as some local banks, she said were ready to fund women businesses noting that they wanted women to penetrate the SADC regional market and register with Stock Exchange.

WIBA members were encouraged to profile themselves and ensure their visibility. Ends