The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe says young girls need to be empowered because they are future entrepreneurs and business leaders. She was speaking on the second day of the techno-girl entrepreneurship workshop at the Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre, Kimberley in the Northern Cape today.
Hundred learners from ten Northern Cape high schools participated in the workshop, where they presented business ideas to a panel of judges. The workshop, which is part of the Department of Trade and Industry’s (the dti) Technology for Women in Business (TWIB), is aimed at introducing young girls to multitudes of career opportunities in various sectors of the economy they can pursue.
“We as government in general, and the dti in particular, are investing in developing young girls in order to ensure that they do not become a liability, and a burden to the state, but contribute meaningfully in the country. This they can do by establishing their own businesses and creating employment. We want to create youngsters who will be creators of jobs and not seekers of jobs,” said Thabethe.
Thabethe told the young girls that for them to be entrepreneurs, they have to be innovative, by coming up with workable business ideas that can be turned into successful businesses. She mentioned that the strategy of inculcating the entrepreneurship spirit amongst learners will surely produce positive results for the country.
“The earlier investment we make towards the entrepreneurial development of girls; the greater the returns pumped back into our economy will be. These rewards include becoming successful women entrepreneurs, through the invention of innovative technological products” said Thabethe.
She added that Techno-girl programme was also aimed at encouraging girls to focus on Maths, Science and Technology with the aim of encouraging them to pursue careers in Engineering, Science, Technology and Entrepreneurship.
“We want to encourage these young girls to become creative thinkers and inventors. I am happy to share with you that the programme is successful and we will take it to the next level. We have been to all the provinces and virtually all of the past participants have made us proud by going to tertiary institutions and make their mark in various fields after graduating,” she added.
Thabethe stated that government is doing this to assist learners to shape their future, however the final choice is up to them.
“It is your choice to decide which direction your future will take. We do not want to see you becoming part of the unemployment statistics because of the wrong choices you make in life, advised Thabethe.
Deputy Minister Thabethe will announce the three winning schools tomorrow. These will be presented with various prizes ranging from attending the Global Summit of Women which is held annually in various countries. The prizes also include attending the dti’s Budget Vote in Cape Town and the dti’s prestigious TWIB Awards Ceremony.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe
Departmental Spokesperson
Cell: 079 492 1774
Tel: 012 394 1650
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
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