The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), hosted the prestigious Technology for Women in Business (TWIB) Award in Mafikeng, North-Weston Thursday, 31 October 2013. The purpose of the award ceremony was to encourage and promote the culture of technology utilisation in business.
Ms Dorothy Botsi from Midrand, Gauteng was crowned the overall winner and walked away with R600 000 worth of technology transfer intervention through the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) anda tablet. As part of her prize, Botsi will also accompany the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe to the Global Summit for Women in Paris next year.
The 43 year old Botsi plans to invest her winnings into her business to acquire knowledge and skills on how to expand and grow her business.
“It’s an honour and privilege to be chosen as a winner and recognised as a pioneer in my field of work. I always knew that through perseverance and hard work my efforts will eventually come to fruition,” said Botsi.
Botsi said running a business is calling and not about making money. She believes women should take it upon themselves to participate and contribute to the mainstream economy. Ms Botsi is the owner of Botho Ubuntu Group, based in Midrand, Gauteng that specialises high access ladderless window cleaning. She started her business four years ago and now employs 650 permanent employees.
Deputy Minister Thabethe who was awarding the winners, congratulated all winners and nominees, and said women must take pride in the work that they do. Thabethe further said it has become vital for all women entrepreneurs to make use of all government initiatives targeting women in business.
The TWIB Awards give recognition to outstanding individual accomplishments whilst encouraging women to grow their businesses through innovation and invention.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe
Departmental Spokesperson
Cell: 079 492 1774
Tel: 012 394 1650
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
Twitter: @the_dti
