Business Engage appoints country lead
Business Engage has extended their footprints in Botswana by introducing a Motswana woman, Theriso Motsemeng as the organization’s national lead.
The company aims to foster the growth of both men and women- owned businesses, thereby contributing to the economy and addressing unemployment.
Business Engage founder, Coleen Larson said they encourage both men and women to participate in business growth competitions. She said their operations were based on three pillars, collaborate, engage, and build.
“Business Engage is about men and women working together equally.” She said Business Engage seeks to collaborate with numerous businesses, engage stakeholders, and build connections to promote gender inclusivity in business across Africa. The organisation has registered 150 companies currently. “The vision is to ensure that Africa becomes the hub for gender mainstreaming whereby good news stories are shared with the rest of the world rather than relying on international data to benchmark our success.” Last year Motsemeng scooped the top position for both the Botswana Region and the General Sector in the Gender Mainstreaming Awards from over 1000 nominees in southern Africa. She was recognized in the Top four for the Disability Award, as well as the Top six and Top 12 for the positive role model Award.
Speaking to the Business Trends, Motsemeng said she is honored to take that position as the country lead because the awards have proven that she is a hard worker and a good leader who believes in inclusivity. “When I entered the competitions it was not easy because
I was contesting with leaders of reputable large corporations but I managed to persevere and emerged at the top. The judges were not doing me a favour but they saw a potential in me.”
She urged Batswana to participate in the upcoming Vodacom 12th Gender Mainstreaming Awards, slated for October 31, 2024, in South Africa. The semi- finals are scheduled to take place in Botswana this July. The categories for the awards include Women on boards, Women on Executive Committees in Multinationals, Equal representation and participation award, Women empowerment in the workplace award, Economic empowerment award, Mainstreaming gender and disability award, Women empowerment in the community, Investing in young women, Gender Reporting by JSE listed companies, Positive Role Model, Inclusive Leader Awards, and RMB Africa’s Fearless Thinker Award.