DEPARTMENT HANDS OVER EQUIPMENT TO WOMEN-OWNED SMMES

By Petrus Siko

• The Department of Social Development in the North West has provided equipment to help women-owned emerging entrepreneurs to grow their businesses.
• Community members from Kgakala, Tswelelang, Makwassi and Leeudoringstad attended the handing over ceremony that was held under the theme “The rise of rural women: building resilient future”.
• The initiative is in line with the department’s policy on strengthening individuals, households and community initiatives economically to reduce vulnerability, poverty and dependence on the state.

Women entrepreneurs in Maquassi Hills Local Municipality in the south-east of the North West Province have been provided with equipment, including tool sets, gas stoves, industrial washing machines and fridges to help them grow their small businesses.

The women hailed the efforts of the North West Department of Social Development in providing material support to their business endeavours.

Community members from Kgakala, Tswelelang, Makwassi and Leeudoringstad attended the hand-over ceremony held under the theme “The rise of rural women: building resilient future”.

Since the beginning of the current financial year, the North West Department of Social Development has been providing equipment to women-owned enterprises across the province.

Other equipment handed over included dough rollers, tables, chairs, cake mixtures, pots, electric frying pans, micro-ovens and chafing dishes.

Presenting the equipment to the beneficiaries, Tebogo Chaane, manager in the Office of the MEC for social development, said the aim of the initiative was to provide women-led emerging businesses with the necessary equipment to enhance their productivity, efficiency and competitiveness in the market.

Modiehi Motlhabane, who runs a bakery and confectionery, thanked God for enabling the department to buy equipment and deliver it at the right time. “I thank God for giving us the strength to wait for the equipment. I am so grateful. It is like I am born again,” she said.

Motlhabane urged the women to work hard. She advised other women to start businesses to beat poverty and unemployment. “Now that we have received the equipment, we are going to work hard for the success of our businesses.”

It was through the sale of food and cakes that Kediemetse Selebalo from Kgakala generated money to study for her Bachelor of Education foundation phase degree. “Today I am a graduate, and I am still pursuing this business.”

She, too, thanked the department for boosting her business.

Tebogo Chaane urged the women to sharpen their skills by studying. “Be professional in your business. Make sure that you maintain cleanliness. As your businesses grow, make sure you hire unemployed people.”

The provision of material support to rural women across the province is in line with the department’s policy of strengthening individuals, households and community initiatives economically in order to reduce vulnerability, poverty and dependence on the state.

As part of its social investment, the department has, on an annual basis, procured equipment, machinery and materials for unemployed women who have livelihood strategies to uplift the socio-economic level of their communities and generate income for their respective households.