Free State businesswoman Anna Lelimo, the proud owner of a small bakery based in Thabong near Welkom, was crowned the overall winner of the inaugural Ligugu Lami Awards hosted under the auspices of the South African Women Entrepreneurs Network (SAWEN), an initiative of the Department of Trade and Industry, (the dti) in Boksburg, Gauteng, last night.
A Chemical Engineer by profession, Lelimo (39), received the award from the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe at the glittering ceremony.
She said since starting her small business in 2001, she never looked back and always knew she would reap the rewards one day.
“Being an overall winner hasn’t sunk in as yet, I’m still overwhelmed by excitement and the whole experience seems like a dream. But at the same time I feel really blessed. I was competing with other successful business women who employ more people than the eight that I’m currently employing at the bakery. But this first prize is for all of us as everyone of them has contributed to the success of the business, and the positive impact it makes to the people of Thabong,” said an elated Lelimo.
She added that the award would open more doors for her business and her small workforce. She said she would reinvest her R145 000 prize money back into the business and employ more people.
Deputy Minister Thabethe wished Lelimo and other category winners well and said SAWEN was a strong base to support and empower women-owned small businesses in the country.
The awards are meant to encourage women operating their little business to take pride of their efforts and to nurture their enterprises to grow so that they will eventually enter the main stream economy of our country.
Enquiries:Sidwell Medupe, Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
