Nyasha Chuma

#GovtsMustSupportBusiness #YouthAndWomenAreCritical Governments and the private sector should create enabling business environments to facilitate entrepreneurship and development, with special attention to the youth and women, a Botswana business executive says. Addressing the SADC Industrialisation Week 2024 in Harare yesterday, Mmantlha Sankoloba, Botswana Exporters and Manufacturers chief executive, said governments, the private sector and international organisations should work in collaboration to create conducive business environments, enabling policies and legal frameworks as well as training programmes to support entrepreneurs, mainly the youth and women who need to be brought into the mainstream economy. Sankoloba, whose delivery was under the topic "Enhancing the Participation of Youth and Women in Entrepreneurship through Collaborative Efforts", said: "Firstly, let us explore the roles that various stakeholders can play in supporting youth and women entrepreneurs. "Governments across the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) region have a pivotal role in shaping an enabling environment for entrepreneurship. "This starts with the development and implementation of targeted policies that provide access to finance, training, and tax incentives tailored to the needs of young and female entrepreneurs. "Investment in educational programs is crucial. We need to equip our youth and women with the necessary skills, ranging from business management and financial literacy to digital competencies. "Additionally, simplifying business registration processes and reducing bureaucratic hurdles are essential steps in fostering a more inclusive business landscape. "Governments should also ensure that there is adequate infrastructure, such as internet access, co-working spaces, and incubation centres, to support innovation and entrepreneurship. "Moreover, implementing policies that promote gender equality and inclusivity in the workplace can create a more supportive environment for women entrepreneurs." Turning to the private sector, Sankoloba added: "The private sector, with its resources and expertise, can significantly contribute to this cause. Mentorship programmes, where experienced business leaders guide emerging entrepreneurs, can be immensely beneficial. "Companies can also leverage their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives to support entrepreneurial ventures. "Integrating youth and women entrepreneurs into supply chains and providing them with platforms to showcase their products and services can open new avenues for growth. "Establishing venture capital funds or angel investment networks focused on youth and women-led startups can provide the much-needed financial support. "The private sector can also play a crucial role in fostering innovation by supporting research and development initiatives. By investing in innovative solutions and technologies, companies can help create a more dynamic and competitive entrepreneurial ecosystem. "For example, in Botswana, Sepapane Group is making significant strides in the field of eLearning. They help businesses and training institutions convert their training programmes to blended and online formats. "This innovative approach not only enhances accessibility, but also improves the quality of education and training, thereby equipping more youth and women with essential skills. Companies like Sepapane Group need our support to grow and expand their impact across the region." She added: "International organisations bring a wealth of experience and resources that can bolster local efforts. They can provide training and capacity-building programmes to enhance entrepreneurial skills. Offering grants and low-interest loans can alleviate financial constraints. Additionally, fostering partnerships between local entrepreneurs and international businesses can lead to knowledge exchange and market expansion. These organisations can also facilitate policy dialogue and advocacy at the international level, ensuring that the needs and challenges of youth and women entrepreneurs are addressed in global policy frameworks. Furthermore, international organisations can support regional integration efforts, which are essential for creating larger markets and more opportunities for entrepreneurs."

#HowToAcquireSACitizenship South Africans attacking Miss South Africa 2024 contestant Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina over her heritage - Nigerian father and South Africa mother of Mozambican origins - have never read what the their own constitution and the law says about getting citizenship, or if they have, they are blinded by xenophobia, or both. In terms of the law, which is simple and clear, one acquires South African citizenship in three ways: By birth, descent or naturalisation. The South African Citizenship Act, 1995 (Act 88 of 1995), was amended by the South African Citizenship Amendment Act 2010 (Act No. 17 of 2010), which came into operation on 1 January 2013, clearly sets out how one acquires the country’s citizenship, the main requirement, together with age and physical attributes, to enter the beauty pageant. Since she was born in South Africa, Adetshina is thus South African and has full rights and freedoms like everyone else.