Own Correspondent
A cohort of 35 participants, comprising 25 young women and 10 young men graduated from the African Women Leadership Academy (TAWLA) on Friday 13th December 2019 at the Stanbic Bank Botswana AcceleR8 Incubator.
The graduates undertook the TAWLA Leadership and Mentorship Programme, which focuses on building character and confidence, enhancing self-esteem, building resilience, leadership skills training, entrepreneurship and life skills development.
Stephanie Stoneham, Stanbic Bank Botswana Head of Marketing, said, “Botswana is our home and we drive her growth is our brand purpose and this, for us, means enabling Batswana to move forward and progress in life.”
She said, “This may be through an investment in initiatives such as TAWLA to help them move our youth forward and spearhead their legacies. We are here for the highs and the lows, and we are a partner for progress, for our youth are our future, and we remain committed to them.”
Stanbic Bank Botswana further re-iterated on the night that they have dedicated 1% of profits, which translates to P6 million over the next 3 years, towards the youth employability and entrepreneurship drive.
Continued Stoneham, “As a brand, we believe partnership is critical in eradicating youth unemployment. Our support for TAWLA, which is itself a long-term one, is very much a part of this. We are proud to have played an active role in contributing to their growth over the duration of the programme and believe their involvement in the programme will unlock more opportunities to keep them Moving Forward.”
The African Women Leadership Academy (TAWLA) is a non-profit organisation established in 2010 to empower youths through leadership skills training, mentoring and creating networking opportunities.
Speaking on behalf of TAWLA, Dr. Maud Dikobe, shared more about the organisaton’s vision. “The TAWLA networking programme also brings together young women and men in leadership positions – as mentors and role models – to provide guidance and encouragement for boys and girls to aspire to be successful future leaders. TAWLA also provides awareness on gender-based violence (GBV), alcohol and substance abuse, and other issues that confront youth through workshops, seminars and discussion forums.”
The schools represented by the mentees, she noted, include St Joseph’s College, Gaborone Senior School, Mogoditshane Senior School, Legae Academy, Livingstone Kolebeng College, Ledumang Senior School, Naledi SenIor School, Rainbow School.
With a firm believe that our youth are our future, Stanbic Bank Botswana continues to invest in making progress real for the youth of Botswana.
