Women urged to ‘skill up’ at Hustlers Hug Empowerment Dialogue
Girl power took centre stage at Cresta Lodge in Gaborone on Saturday as women entrepreneurs, seasoned professionals and aspiring business leaders converged for the fourth edition of The Hustlers Hug Empowerment Dialogue.
This high-impact, female-focused event is designed to be a catalyst for networking and capacity building.
Established in 2022 by Kgalalelo Nnoi, The Hustlers Hug was born from a need to forge support systems and cultivate a safe, uplifting space.
“The platform was set in motion to mobilise women to participate robustly in business and leadership,” explained Nnoi, highlighting its mission to spark vital conversations about avenues for growth and personal development.
Held under the theme ‘Skill Up! Your Gateway to True Empowerment’, the focus was on delivering practical tools, mentorship and knowledge-sharing to enhance women’s participation across all sectors of business and leadership.
The event attracted a line-up of prominent speakers who delivered essential, real-world insights.
Lawyer, Njiramanda Mbewe Boatey stressed the importance of legal awareness in entrepreneurship, urging women to secure their ventures with sound contracts and robust compliance.
“You need to shift your mindset from viewing a contract as an expense to seeing it as the cheapest insurance policy you’ll ever buy,” said Boatey.
Following this, the Weekend Post’s Managing Director (MD), Tryphinah Dongwana Kenalemang spoke on assertive leadership and strategic communication, challenging women to build authentic professional brands and confidently take up space in male-dominated industries.
“No one will open doors for you, you have to do it even when no one believes you can; I am a living testimony to that fact,” declared Kenalemang.
Etiquette and protocol consultant, Sammy Matlhagela underscored the value of professionalism and presentation, noting refined decorum and unwavering confidence are vital for business success.
Adding extra glam to the occasion, Miss Botswana 2021, Palesa Molefe, delivered an inspirational message of resilience, reminding attendees empowerment is a personal road that begins with self-discovery and a willingness to embrace continuous growth.
“The journey to growth is a lonely one, sometimes you have to even do away the kind of people you surround yourself with to position yourself for real success,” advised the 27-year-old beauty queen-cum-actress.
Bringing a dynamic layer to the dialogue, the event also hosted vibrant business showcase stalls.
These provided a platform for entrepreneurs and corporates to exhibit their products and services, actively fostering business-to-business engagement and market exposure.
Though specifically tailored to address the challenges and opportunities for women, Nnoi affirmed that The Hustlers Hug warmly welcomes all who champion gender-inclusive empowerment.
The key take away from the day was delivered with clarity and purpose: success is not accidental. Women must be intentional about developing their skills and pursuing their goals with purpose.
