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.