02 Nov 2021

Empowering women is the key to economic growth, political stability and social transformation.

It is against this notion that Gaborone’s Avani Hotel, in partnership with a local digital platform, the Girlfriend Series, hosted a brunch recently in which the duo of Ms Dorcas Kgosietsile and Ms Tebelelo Seretse gave their insights on the importance of personal wealth creation during such uncertain times as the COVID-19 era. 

The platform, whose purpose was for women to talk, share and laugh through life’s important issues ranging from finance, family, self-care to love, personal image, home and travel, was aimed at uplifting, encouraging and empowering young women through conversations. 

Giving a brief on what inspired the event, Avani Hotel marketing executive, Ms Thapelo Mmono said the passion-powered conversations event, which was facilitated by renowned media personality, Ms Tshepo Ntshole, appealed to the upwardly mobile career woman who ran a home, aspired to have a family one day or already had one, loved the finer things in life and worked hard for them.

“She is interested in financial growth, her overall wellbeing, loves to travel and catch up with like-minded friends as well as tending to her community,” she explained the calibre of the woman the event was designed for. 

Former diplomat, corporate and boardroom giant, Ms Kgosietsile underpinned the importance of creating sustainable wealth as women in the new age.

She said women needed to re-examine how they could create sustainable means of livelihood.

“It is high time that as women we change our narrative and promote a culture of savings and investment among ourselves so that we too can play an active role in the economic development of this country,” she said.

Ms Kgosietsile said conversations about women, money and values needed to be one dialogue.

She said as women took their place at the financial table, there was a need to build a new table crafted for them that provided financial education and supported the alignment of money and values.

She further highlighted that aligning one’s financial decisions with sustainability was essential as it could mean seeking a sustainable option at every point of the financial spectrum, starting from where one held their mortgage to how one invested their portfolio.

Moreover, Ms Kgosietsile urged young women to grow out of their comfort zones and expand their networks.

 “More importantly, do not forget to always be curious and remember that the way to achieve your own success is to be willing to help somebody else,” she added.

For her part, newly appointed University of Botswana Chancellor, Ms Seretse shared her insights on being resilient in all aspects of life, especially when faced with numerous challenges.

“The first rule of life is; do not dwell on the negatives because life will surely throw you some curveballs,” she said.

Ms Seretse, also a politician and business person, said she too had faced some failures in both her political and professional careers, but her setbacks had given her the wisdom to encourage women that they too could venture into unchartered paths. 

Concerning the creation of long-term wealth creation, Ms Seretse said setting a financial goal that was simple and realistic was crucial.

“When you set a goal, make sure that you choose an appropriate timeline for it too. 

So, you can achieve them [goals]  without being frustrated or facing disappointments,” she stated.

She further indicated that consistency went a long way in enabling periodic investments, stating that monthly, quarterly, half-yearly or yearly plans could turn into substantial investments over time, without creating a burden on one’s present needs or wants.

“We need women at all levels, including the top, to change the dynamics and reshape the conversation to make sure women’s voices are heard and heeded, not overlooked and ignored,” she said. Ends