2nd September 2020
Own Correspondent
Stanbic Bank Botswana has revealed it will support efforts to empower young people by changing the Youth Employability and Entrepreneurship narrative in Botswana, through the AcceleR8.
The co-working space will host a virtual book launch through Facebook Live on the 8th of September 2020, with a third offering from local author, Kagiso Madibana, titled ‘Queen of Mayhem.’ Madibana is a part of the platform’s acceleration programme, with investment and support being made towards her entrepreneurial potential.
Larona Makgoeng, Stanbic Bank Botswana Head of AcceleR8, said, “Stanbic Bank Botswana AcceleR8 offers coaching, mentorship and advisory on access to markets and funding. Through the acceleration programme, which Kagiso is a part of, we are assisting existing business in realizing their true growth potential. Furthermore, we provide business counsel and other relevant business support interventions for their growth and expansion. We are very proud of the work which Kagiso has been doing over the years and we want to play our part in nurturing her dreams and turning them into reality.”
AcceleR8 offers a four-pronged approach to helping young entrepreneurs which includes:
- Incubation– assisting business owners with concept ideas to reach refine their business ideas such that they can be bankable
- Acceleration– assisting existing business to realise their true potential by providing business counsel and other relevant business support interventions for their growth and expansion
- Access to funding– assisting companies to meet the necessary requirements by building their business case so that it can be investable; and
- Access to markets – facilitating opportunities for businesses to have access to markets.
Book author, Kagiso Madibana said, “I am very excited to share a project that is very close to my heart and to have the incredible support and encouragement from Stanbic Bank and AcceleR8, through this journey. This is certainly a relationship I wish to see grow from strength to strength. As an Incubatee, I wish to encourage other young entrepreneurs to tap into the opportunities which are available to them as we all have a responsibility towards the growth and prosperity of our Nation.”
Queen of Mayhem, Madibana’s third published book, includes a preamble from Stanbic Bank Botswana Chief Executive, Samuel Minta. It affirms the Bank’s unwavering support for entrepreneurship development, identifying, supporting and nurturing entrepreneurial talent across Botswana.
The launch will also be graced by the British High Commission Deputy High Commissioner, Ms. Emily Summers as a guest speaker.
“As a Bank, we remain committed to driving Botswana’s growth and supporting young entrepreneurs through their growth journeys. We firmly believe our youth are our future, and we must invest in and work with them to create an ecosystem that changes the youth unemployment narrative in Botswana. This benefits all in the long-term, and only sustainable, collaborative, and co-created platforms will make a true impact and create tangible growth for Botswana. We are truly committed to improving lives and making a meaningful difference in our communities,” concluded Makgoeng.
