Africa-Press – Botswana. An organisation dubbed ‘Africa One Identity’ had been born with a view to see an Africa without boundaries.
The organisation that transcends boundaries seeks to see the continent being self-sufficient through using its own resources to eliminate poverty by fostering partnerships and creating solid networks across Africa.
Formed in 2022, Africa One Identity is the brainchild of Ms Kelelo Dhlamini, a South Africa-based Zimbabwean national.
The organisation was launched in Zimbabwe last year and will this year in May, still in Zimbabwe, hold a three-day camp which will feature a business seminar, an arts and culture session, an exhibition for entrepreneurs as well as an awards ceremony for members.
Speaking in an interview with BOPA, Coordinator of Africa One Identity – Botswana, Ms Julia Bothasitse, said the organisation provided empowerment and support for both men and women entrepreneurs, but with a bias towards women who have been shown to be more susceptible to poverty.
Ms Bothasitse said such is done through hosting seminars to encourage people to expand and to be open to more knowledge of trading across Africa and beyond.
“This is for us to remember our roots, to enjoy the sounds of our drums, music and dance. To re-gather as we celebrate under our golden sunset while we succeed and prosper with everything we have been blessed with as Africans. It’s a moment to connect, to contact, to design business, above all, to understand that Africa is of one identity,” she said.
She said the organisation encourages especially owners of small businesses such as those who run tuck-shops to network and help each other grow.
Ms Bothasitse said with seminars, panel discussions and activities that are set to build unity among Africans, African communities can realise their identity through showcasing African cuisines and designs in support of the continent.
“This is for us as Africans to reclaim our identity and enjoy our unity as one, for us to achieve our goals and to prosper,” she said.
Regarding the cultural exchange programme that the organisation has, she said, it seeks to help cultivate a spirit of tolerance among the diverse African cultures.
She said Africa One Identity aimed to eliminate oppression and poverty as well as restore dignity among African communities.
The organisation is set to partake at the International Women’s Day commemoration slated for Paje today, where President Mokgweetsi Masisi and other dignitaries are expected to attend.
Ms Bothasitse said her organisation would have a stall at the event to showcase the different businesses done by its members. An entrepreneur herself, Ms Bothasitse who runs a pre-school in Mabeleapudi will be among those showcasing their entrepreneurial skills at the event.
On the reach of the Africa One Identity across the African continent, Ms Bothasitse said affiliated members are Botswana, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Namibia, Ghana, and Sierra Leone.
In Botswana, it has 15 members who are all entrepreneurs in different business codes, whom the organisation has brought together under one roof to network, share ideas and support one another’s business.
Ms Bothasitse said the organisation has achieved self-understanding and has entrenched in members the spirit of entrepreneurship which dictates that people should by all means be self-dependent and be innovative enough to help take their respective countries forward. She encouraged all African countries to join the organisation so as to speak with one voice to issues pertaining to the continent.
She said it is saddening that the continent is losing a lot of resources to western countries who export materials raw, saying it is paramount to set processing plants in Africa to ensure its people benefit meaningfully from their own natural resources.
She said the processing plants would help African countries create jobs for their citizens.
Ms Bothasitse also runs a Gender Based Violence (GBV) association in Mabeleapudi under the auspices of Africa One Identity.The association oversees and provides surveillance on issues of GBV in collaboration with Gender Affairs department. She is of the view that to nip GBV in the bud before more lives are lost required concerted efforts such as cascading First Lady Ms Neo Masisi’s anti-GBV initiative to lower structures in villages.
She encouraged women to take advantage of the Chema-Chema Fund to improve their lives as the scheme was aimed at unlocking the boundless potential of the informal sector to contribute to the economic growth of Botswana as per the ideals of Africa One Identity.
Overall, Africa One Identity seeks to see Africa change its perception of itself by viewing itself as unique. It seeks for the continent to shift focus to issues that could positively impact the lives of its people.
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