Stanbic Bank Botswana today held an award ceremony to celebrate a partnership that nurtures start up entrepreneurs in an effort to further develop Botswana’s SMME sector, with a specific focus on horticulture.
The partnership between Stanbic Bank Botswana and the Local Enterprise Authority(LEA), was established in 2012, to encourage participation in horticulture entrepreneurship.
“The Bank has sponsored prizes to the tune of P250 000 for the Glen Valley Incubator program, as part of the Stanbic Bank Corporate Social Responsibility initiative,” said Onkabetse Morapedi, Head of Enterprise Banking, Stanbic Bank Botswana.
He said, “The program empowers trainees to have the skills to operate and maintain their horticulture enterprises upon completion, thus facilitating an environment that fosters the diversification of Botswana’s economy and job creation.”
Morapedi maintained that Stanbic Bank Botswana has called Botswana home for 26 years now, and has built a long reputation for working to move Batswana forward: her individuals, her businesses, her communities, and indeed the entire Nation.
“When we say Botswana is our home and that we drive her growth, it is our responsibility to extend ourselves beyond just banking: we must add value by providing exposure, information and our expertise to our clients to foster an environment that facilitates their growth and success,” said Morapedi.
He said, “In driving Botswana’s growth, we look to invest and contribute to key areas of the economy that support diversification.”
Investing in platforms such as the Glen Valley Incubator program is another way in which Stanbic Bank Botswana is assisting local entrepreneurs in the development of job creation opportunities and the growth of the agricultural sector.
The partnership between Stanbic Bank Botswana and LEA dates back to 2012, where it pledged P250 000 towards the program.
Since that pledge LEA has received an increasing number of trainees, having recorded an additional 32 between 2016 and 2018. The event at Glen Valley Incubator pays homage to entrepreneurs in the horticulture sector, recognising their hard work and dedication and the role they play not only in creating jobs, but helping to grow Botswana’s economy.
By completing the program, incubatees have empowered themselves with the necessary skills and knowledge to successfully run and maintain their enterprises.
“They can now sustain their businesses as a result of the practical experience of what enterprise management entails, and of course, best industry practice,” said Morapedi.
He said, “Having been exposed to different technologies like greenhouses and drip irrigation, that improve output of the horticulture commodities, they are equipped to make a significant difference in the horticulture sector.”
Stanbic Bank Botswana, we prides itself in helping our clients through their growth journeys.
“Local Enterprise Authority(LEA) has given us the arsenal, it is up to use it in fighting to feed this beautiful country. LEA has created an enabling environment for us. The basics or the foundation has been constructed for us. We have been equipped with the necessary tools like business planning, marketing, cropping plans, record keeping, how to grow commercial crops, fertilizers management, construction of shade netting and tomatoes to diseases etc.,” said Jacob Thebenala, Glen Valley Incubator Graduate.
He said, “This is the chance to transform our lives, our communities, humanity, our region and worldwide.”
