24 August 2000
Issued by: Department of Minerals and Energy
The Minister of Minerals and Energy, Ms Phumzile Mlabo-Ngcuka, will address the Technology for Women in Business (TWIB) National Awards Ceremony on Saturday, 26 August 2000 at the Aventura Spa Warmbath where the overall winner will be awarded with a high powered car. Technology an enabler of an African Led Future in the Global Economy will be the theme at the event.
This follows the recent launch of the Mining and Energy TWIB in July 2000 where the conference dealt with i!ssues regarding the design of relevant technologies for women in business in the mining and energy industries.
Small-scale mining and jewellery design were two of the industries discussed and awarded at this event. The availability of opportunities for women in energy industries, issues regarding access to financial assistance and the establishment companies to support women in business. The mining and energy awards were in accordance with the overall National TWIB Programme that was introduced in 1998. The primary objectives of the national TWIB programme includes the enhancement of the use of technology by women in business, the promotion of innovation amongst women, the recognition of innovative solutions, the encouragement of solution-based research, the influencing of young women to choose technology related careers and the promotion of co-operation between businesses for public and private support to women in business. TWIB annual awards celebrate and recognize women who have excelled in applying technology within their small business and hence improved their production. The winners become Technology Ambassadors who assist in the promotion of technology for women in business. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) launched TWIB in 1998 to facilitate access to science and technology for South African women in business. The project was the brainchild of Minister Mlambo-Ngcuka, then the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry.
ENQUIRIES: Mr. Kanyo Gqulu
Tel: (012) 317 9537
Fax: (012) 322 4954
Cell: 083 29 333 77
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS (GCIS) ON BEHALF OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MINERALS AND ENERGY