Debswana pumps P4m on textile
Debswana, the diamond giant has invested P4 million to support local textile enterprises which comprises of entrepreneurs who were assisted through the purchase of purposed machinery and equipment for the production of personal protective equipment ( PPE).
The program, which Debswana has partnered with Local Enterprise Authority and Tokafala Enterprise Development Programme is designed in a form of cluster model to improve their productive capacity. The group includes 34 enterprises in the Textile Accelerator Programme, nine of whom are from the Youth Development Program or the STRYDE program and out of this 85 percent are women owned enterprises.
Speaking at the event on Tuesday, Tokafala Program Director, Montle Phuthego said they realized that since the majority of them are small, it would take them ages to reach a level where they can build sufficient productive capacity that enables them to supply large contracts.
“But we realized that if they combine their productive capacities then they are able to reach levels similar to those of large enterprises. The model requires facilitators of such projects get out of our comfort zones, to not only think within the box but also think outside the box, to not be stuck in processes and procedures but to be creative and at times to yield and feel temporary pain.”
Debswana Acting Managing Director, Lynette Elizabeth Armstrong said Debswana’s contribution to the success of this project extends to the provision of a market to manufacturers for a period of three years. “This means that our employees, contactors and business partners will order and purchase this PPE from local SMMEs supported under this programme.”
Through the Textile Accelerator Programme, since its inception in 2020 Debswana engaged 60 textile operators to produce facecloth masks and supported 549 Jobs. Through this group of 34 textile operators, 241 jobs were supported.
On his note, Local Enterprise Authority Chief Executive Officer, Dr Racious Moatshe said the country is in an opportune time where through deliberate, targeted, and collective efforts can make a significant impact on job creation, economic diversification, and citizen economic empowerment drive. “I believe Covid has helped us to realize that we hold the answers and solutions to the challenges facing our country. We, the individuals holding positions of authority within government and private sector are appropriately placed to help government implement programs that can effectively create jobs, empower SMEs and aid the economy to grow.”
He said LEA’s accessibility and availability to respond with tailored interventions to the specific needs of SMEs, is well documented and the Authority is certain that with its continued support the 34 clients who have been given the opportunity to participate in the Textile Accelerate Project will exceed expectations. As part of our core value service offering to SMEs, we have already provided incubation, notably the operational space to 3 of these textile companies in the program.
For his part, Minister of Investment Trade and Industry, Mmusi Kgafela said Government, continues to do its part in creating a legal framework that allows for greater expansion of the private sector, smart partnerships, increased foreign direct investment and preferential policies for Botswana citizen owned businesses. “I encourage beneficiary businesses to, therefore, take advantage of the various opportunities available for greater business expansion. Again as Government, we would like to see millionaires being created out of this noble initiative. It is a realistic ambition that should be shared by the very businesses that are going to immensely benefit from this project.”