The year 2008 was a challenging year for Women In Business Association, with change in leadership just seven (7) months after elections. Mrs Mmasekgoa Masire – Mwamba, the then President took up a new job with Commonwealth Secretariat and re-located to London. Ms Chigedze Chinyepi was then elected WIBA President in May 2008. The committee remained unchanged except for the President’s position.
WIBA’s main objectives are:
To help Batswana business women develop their business and expanding the range of products to compete effectively in the market and to manage their resources more efficiently.
To provide a platform for women in business to exchange ideas and information with each other as well as their counterparts in other countries.
To form a strategic institute for the business advocacy and lobby for women, leadership, training and business development in disseminating information to the membership and general public.
To explore ways to strengthen the organisation so that it can grow and influence gender issues to be adequately addressed by the Government of Botswana in the process of making policy decisions that affect the business environment.
ACTIVITIES
There were three general meetings held as follows:-
19th May 2008
5th July 2008
22nd November 2008
The following sub-committees were elected at the July general meeting to enhance the Executive Committee and to reach out to wider membership with value added services:-
Fundraising
Mobilization
Training
Publicity
Governance.
From June – December 2008 WIBA was accommodated by the Business Place, Mmaraka road, at the station Gaborone rent free. Rent has to be paid from January 2009. A Secretary was employed to help set up the Secretariat and kick start membership drive.
Due to insufficient funds, it has been difficult to sustain the Secretary on full – time basis, negotiations are continuing to have her work part – time and have members volunteer on days she is not in the office.
The establishment of a secretariat was priority for the new executive committee to enable proper facilitation and coordination of the organization.
A website has been developed (www.wiba.co.bw) for networking and linkages with members, stakeholders and other women organizations regionally and internationally.
It is also a tool with which WIBA members will use to advertise and promote their goods and services. Though most of the members do not have access to the internet, they can have their products /services viewed and accessed world wide, which will eventually increase their market.
WIBA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with First National Bank of Botswana Ltd which, amongst other things is to:-
Provide tailor-made banking products, entitling WIBA members to preferential rates on business and personal loans.
Collaborate in areas of saving schemes for WIBA members.
Access to this programme is a valid WIBA membership card, referral letter from WIBA and proof of business registration.
Launching of the products will be held 3rd week of March 2009, date to be announced.
CHALLENGES
Membership is crucial and critical for any organization’s survival and sustainability. Since inception - 17 years ago, WIBA membership has been dwindling between 100 and 120.
Lack of adequate resources to maintain the office and the officer has contributed negatively to the growth of the organization. Growth is therefore seriously impeded as members do not have a permanent place to register and get information on the organization.
WIBA’s plans have been to establish branches all over Botswana. An outreach program is being developed by the mobilization sub-committee and it is envisaged that at least by the end of 2009 the Northern, Central and Southern branches will be established. This will help in membership drive, data collection to identify products/services members are into, areas that need advocacy and lobbying etc.
CONCLUSION
WIBA is working tirelessly to secure funding from various sponsors to set up a secretariat, which will enable good service delivery to its members and build membership confidence in the organization.
Statistics indicate that about 75% of SMME’s in Botswana are women owned businesses and over 67% of informal sector in the country is made of females owned businesses compared to just around 32% of male owned. WIBA, through BOCCIM, has an important role to play in bringing these sectors on board as they contribute positively to the economy of the country. Those in the informal sector need to be protected and be formalized as they create employment.
Activities for 2009 include quarterly training programs for members and non-members, fundraising in form of workshops, dinners, entrepreneur of the year etc.
