An impressive 350 exhibitors at Women�s Expo
Mpho Mokwape | Monday June 29, 2015 16:29
The weeklong exhibition is a platform for business networking for women who strive to be their own bosses and is a place for like-minded businesswomen to connect, build new relationships for growth, and expand their visibility.
It is also seen as the biggest and most important event in the country, which affords women the opportunity to demonstrate their potential in the country’s socio-economic development.
This year’s expo, which is in 16th year running, has attracted more women exhibitors and has significantly shown growth, especially in construction and animal farming, according to the coordinators.
Among the categories that were exhibiting besides construction, and farming and beef production were horticulture, crafts, food processing, upholstery, beauty therapy, herbal produce and many other categories.
One of the highlights of this year’s exhibition was perhaps the beef production company owned by women from Gantsi, Reslem Investment Beef Production.
Despite beef production being male dominated, the women of Reslem went against all odds and started their own business.
Started in December 2012, Reslem Investment is the brainchild of five women who applied for funding from the Department of Gender Affairs and were funded at a total of P230,485.
From the funding they started their business with 63 female cows, one bull and four tollies bringing the total herd to 68. Within two years of operation they were able to produce 93 cattle and have so far sold 28 of them.
There was also an inspiring success story for women in the construction field, which is also traditionally male dominated.
Lefaso Architectural Designs showcased that women too can design and master the art by producing high profile buildings.
In the manufacturing industry, Tapologo Furniture company and Jack Chris Basal Coffin Manufactures were also impressive with their innovation that once again prove women’s worth and their exceedingly high talent. Jack Chris Basal is a coffin manufacturing business, which was started in 2012 by four women and a man, and they were funded with P184,736.
Most of the businesses at the exposition have reportedly benefited from the government through the Citizen Economic Empowerment and the Economic Diversification Drive.
Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Edwin Batshu when delivering his official opening remarks, said the women have even gone to the extent of providing technical know-how and training to government officials and also win government tenders.
According to Batshu, among those who have benefited from government tenders include, Gopong Support Group who are in the textile and clothing industry based in Kanye. They have been awarded a tender to supply Gopong Primary School and Nthwalang Junior with uniforms for a period of six months at a total of P114,000.
Tadubaka Bakery in Lentsweletau, MG Textiles, Ramzo Enterprises and Phothwane have also benefited from government as both joint business ventures and individuals.
At the close of the expo, some 15 women entrepreneurs who showed consistency in their productions and had been regulars at the expo for the last four years were singled out for recognition.
“We believe that these women have matured and are able to battle their way into the market because these few are amongst the many that have shown how women in business have progressed including the quality of their goods,” said Batshu.