A great achievement for all women!, Botswana Gazette. SMMEs essential to economic growth, mmegi

 

The columnist shows how even the language of sailing is steeped in gender stereotypes now shattered by this achievement. He also points out the significance of the achievement against the intense scepticism that accompanied the endeavour, and the rough waters that made the trip far from “plain sailing.”

 

The author is careful to provide enough background and technical detail for readers in land-locked Botswana to understand the achievement, and there is no patronising attempt to simplify this just because the article is targeted at women. Overall, the piece is an inspirational one, sending out a strong message to women about role models and the fact that the sky (or in this case the sea!) is the limit.

 

On the same day, in an article entitled “SMME’s essential to economic growth” Mmegi in Botswana ran an article that had a woman as the central focus, but for a different reason: Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba is the chief executive officer of the Botswana Export Development Investment Agency (BEDIA). 

 

Situated prominently on the business page of the paper, the article highlights the importance of small and medium scale enterprises to Botswana’s investment strategy and economic growth. Masire-Mwamba is quoted extensively on this and technical issues relating to standards certification at an event on Quality Management for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s). The other source in the story, the male head of the Botswana Bureau of Standards, is a secondary source in the story, as is appropriate given the focus.

 

Where the story does, however, miss an important opportunity is in highlighting the predominance of women in the SME sector, and the possibilities of closing the gender gap in the economy through such initiatives. Interviews with SME owners, including women, would have added depth and perspective on the challenges faced by such enterprises in meeting the standards.