Technology for women in business
29 June 2004
A government initiative called Technology for Women in Business is helping South Africa's women entrepreneurs get access to the applied science and technology they need to catapult their businesses into the big league.
The initiative, started in 1998 under the auspices of the department of trade and industry, aims to get women to harness technology so that they can move from the sidelines to the mainstream of the economy.
The programme focuses on women entrepreneurs at all levels of business, from micro to macro-enterprises, and seeks to fast-track their skills development to enable them to embrace appropriate technologies. Various science councils and organisations are partners in the initiative, offering training and mentorship programmes for women.
Technology for Women in Business is mentored by Deputy Trade and Industry Minister Lindiwe Hendricks, and run by the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Mandisa Manjezi, formerly a programme officer at the Danish International Development Agency, is the programme manager.
Comments Hendricks: "To date, the programme's main priority has been to create awareness of the need for women in business to access technology, and the benefits that technology can bring to assist women to grow their business."
Part of the initiative is the "Techno-girl project", which encourages schoolgirls to take science and maths and follow careers in these fields by exposing them to careers in engineering, science, entrepreneurship and technology, and providing information on career opportunities and learning programmes on offer.
The programme's other activities include identifying the technological needs of women in business; linking women in business with technology service providers; identifying suitable educators in the fields of science and technology; and exposing women to international trends in science and technology.
The initiative also gives annual awards to those women who manage to enhance their businesses by using more advanced technology.
The winner of the 2000 award, Lobisa Mamabolo, owner of Moshita Chicks, won her award for upgrading her business from manually slaughtering and cleaning chickens to installing an abattoir with hi-tech machinery.
The 2001 award winner, Yolisa Kashe-Mzamo, used technology to make her clothing manufacturing company, YKM, an international player. The Eastern Cape-based company, 90% staffed by women, saw real success when it moved into manufacturing workwear and won a three-year, R6.2-million contract with Daimler Chrysler. Using hi-tech equipment and focusing on staff training and productivity contributed to the company’s success.
Source: Technology for Women in Business
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