Orange Empowers Women In Business
Staff Writer | Monday December 7, 2015 15:50
Three years ago, the foundation launched a women’s corporate gift challenge that provides an opportunity for women in business to showcase their products and services, learn from one another and also receive skills on business management.
The public relations manager at Orange Botswana, Boga Chilinde-Masebu, said these businesses ranged from arts and crafts, fashion design, textiles, leatherworks, bakery, body and beauty, food and beverages to upholstery and linen making.
This year’s challenge was launched in July, and received 52 applications, bringing the total number of women who have participated in this programme since its inception to 107.
Chilinde-Masebu said the initiative attracted interest from women all over Botswana. The 52 proposals went through an internal evaluation process to select a winner.
The evaluation criteria focused on creativity, innovation, craftsmanship, usefulness of the proposed product and durability.
“The fundamental selection criteria were based on the applicant’s ability to demonstrate that they manufacture or make the products themselves.” Thato Mahube of Amazing Services emerged a winner with an executive handmade A4-sized leather folder, which also works as a cardholder and diary. Her company, which is a 100 percent citizen-owned is affiliated to the Women in Business Association (WIBA) and provides communications solutions and wellness events management.
Chilinde-Masebu said Mahube would be awarded a tender to produce P100,000 worth of Christmas gifts from Orange Botswana and would get additional benefits as her company gets to enjoy free opportunities to exhibit her products at different platforms facilitated by Orange foundation.
“This is a great opportunity for her to grow her businesses and penetrate the market further,” Chilinde-Masebu added.The women’s corporate gift challenge, also known as Bonatla le Botswerere, gives women a platform to nurture their creative side by competing for a bid to produce and supply Christmas gifts for Orange.
Since its establishment, the Orange Foundation has funded projects on education and skills development, women’s and girls’ health, disability, culture and solidarity. “We thought what a better way to empower women than support their income generating projects,” she said. “So we targeted women who are in business.”
It is for this reason that Orange Foundation supports women through the annual women’s exposition. This expo forms part of the women economic empowerment programmes managed by the Gender Affairs Department.
Chilinde-Masebu said the foundation receives proposals from women – young and old -- coming from both established and start-up businesses.