Botswana clearing and forwarding agent Joy Simakane beat tough international competition to take home third prize in the prestigious United Nations Conference on Trade and Development’s (Unctad) 2010 Empretec Women in Business Award. “I am really overwhelmed but also very grateful for this award which goes a long way in proving that African women are coming into their own and starting to make a mark in business,” Simekane told FTW. Owner of Extramile Express, an international clearing and freight forwarding company based in Gaborone in Botswana, Simakane says the award also bodes well for women working in the maledominated freight forwarding industry. One of ten finalists for the awards, all graduates of an Unctad-supported Empretec programme which trains entrepreneurs in developing countries, the winners were chosen by an independent panel of 20 judges. “I started my business with nothing but a little bit of courage and a dream. This award proves that it can be done and that African women can be as successful at business as their male counterparts.” Simakane wins consulting services to the value of US$1 500 from the Africa Technology Development Forum.
