By REGINALD KANYANE
9 December 2025- Women entrepreneurs in Maquassi Hills hailed the North West Department of Social Development for providing them with material support to grow their Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs). The department said equipment includes tools sets, fridges, dough rollers, gas stoves, tables, chairs, industrial washing machines, cake mixtures, pots, electric frying pans, micro ovens and chuffing dishes.
Presenting the equipment to the beneficiaries, Manager in the Office of MEC, Tebogo Chaane said the aim of the initiative is to provide women-led emerging businesses with the necessary equipment to enhance their productivity, efficiency and competitiveness in the market.
“Please make it a point that you sharpen your skills by studying. Be professional in your business. Make sure that you maintain cleanliness. As your businesses grow, make sure you hire unemployed people.
“The provision of material support to rural women across the province is in line with the departmental policy on economic strengthening of individuals, households and community initiatives which aims to reduce vulnerability, poverty and dependence on the state,” he said.
Chaane further said as part of social investment, the department has on an annual basis, procured equipment, machinery and materials for unemployed women who have livelihood strategies to uplift the socio-economic level of their communities and generate income for their respective households.
Meanwhile, community members from Kgakala Township, Tswelelang, Makwassi and Leeudoringstad, attend the handing over ceremony held under the theme: “The rise of rural women: building resilient future.” Since the beginning of the current financial year, the department has been providing equipment to women owned enterprises across the province.
Modiehi Motlhabane, who specialises in bakery and confectionery, attributed her profound thanks to God Almighty for enabling the department of social development to buy them equipment and deliver it at the right time.
“I thank God for giving us strength to wait for the equipment. I am so grateful. It is like I am born again. I appeal to all women to work hard as women. My advice to other women is to start businesses to fight poverty and unemployment. Now that we have received the equipment, we are going to work hard for the success of our businesses,” she added.
Another beneficiary from Kgakala Township, Kediemetse Selebalo, expressed her happiness after receiving material support from the department.
“Through the sale of food and cakes, I generated money for my Bachelor of Education foundation phase. Today, I am a graduate and I am still pursuing this business. Thank you very much for social development for boosting my business,” she said.
The Guardian 