Swaziland: Nomalanga Thusi

Attending the training has enlightened me with business skills and improved me personally. I used to believe that only man can do business but now I know that even women can venture into business. I have learnt that you cannot just start a business without market research; finding out if there if there is a need for my kind of business. I also learnt the importance of being organized and keep time.

I joined the training in 2013 and attended all the three stages. Everything we were thought is important especially the business plan and nothing was not important. I am still struggling to start my own business now because I do not have capital to start my own business.

I was doing laundry business but, because of the water problem in my area it is a difficult business to sustain. I have a new interested of business which is farming now. The only thing that the Siketi town council  has helped me with is linking me with the Gender Links project.

I have learnt about the different types of abuse and where to get help if faced by such situation. I am now independent and less vulnerable than before and manage to let g of the past hurts. There is a link between economic empowerment and gender Based violence in the sense that those who have power tend to manipulate those less privileged.

I have started gathering women and encouraging them to do hands-craft so they can get money and inspire other women in living a better life, they consult me on how to start business. I am more respectable than before.I raise awareness about the dangers of domestic violence and where to report it.

I have learned to use a computer and now i will be able to advertise my business and do more research about the kind of business i want to start. One day I will have a supermarket and will hire women from my community and have a car for the business.