Women entrepreneurs thrive with Intellectual Property

Women entrepreneurs in the country have been hailed as drivers of development through breaking barriers and addressing social constraints such as poverty.

The sentiment emerged at the Women Entrepreneurs’ High Tea event that was held last week as part of the Intellectual Property Day celebrations hosted by the Copyright and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA).

This year’s event was held under the theme, “Accelerating Innovation and Creativity” and was designed to celebrate the progressive role women continue to play in the development of Botswana using avenues like Intellectual Property (IP). Delivering a keynote address at the gathering, Botswana Exporters and Manufacturers Association (BEMA) CEO, Mmantlha Sankoloba said women continue to play a pivotal role in the development of the country.

She said women are found in every sector of the economy and are continuing to progressively lead the tide of using IP as a means to protect their enterprises. “Women in this country are driven by a candid desire to break barriers, alleviate poverty and further the development of Botswana through all means possible,” she said.

Sankoloba further cemented her sentiments by providing testimonial stories of women who have used IP to participate efficiently in the commercial sectors of the country.

One of the testimonies she cited was that of Motlopi Beverages lead by Dinah Botha, who is a spirited entrepreneur.

“I would like to encourage all women to follow the trails of women like Dinah Motlopi who is the pioneer of Motlopi

Beverages, a company taking the market by storm and who continues to thrive in a protected environment because of the use of IP,” she said. Deliberating during a panel discussion on how women entrepreneurs can benefit from IP, Phatsimo Matshediso of Phatsima Organic Moringa Oleifera mentioned that value chain addition has been her key and primary focus as it allows her to diversify her product offerings while being able to continue enjoying the benefits accorded to her by IP.

“It’s not always about starting something new. “Sometimes developing what already exists can be the key factor that leads to more innovation and creativity,” said Matshediso.

For her part Seneo Moji, who is the brains behind Kaylaamiel Creations, encouraged women to own their stories and be free to tell the story of their lives through the creation of meaningful products that benefit the nation.

This, according to Moji, is the only way more women can join the entrepreneurial world and continue to thrive in it.