About 30 Mentors and Mentees completed the Katuka Mentorship Programme orientation training that took place from 6 to 8 February 2013.

Katuka is a mentorship programme launched in July 2001, by the late Lena Markus, Businesswoman of the Year 2000 in the category Corporate/Professional. The programme aims to empower and encourage entrepreneurs, business and professional women to achieve success in their careers through mentorship by seasoned business and professional women.

This year's programme was conducted by well-known human resource specialist Ms Sabine Ruegg from Thalestris Training Consultancy and started off with a three-day orientation programme for the mentees and mentors. Telecom Namibia sponsored the programme to the tune of N$ 44 800.00.

Currently in its 12th year, the Katuka Mentorship Programme has already produced significant results in the careers of the participating mentees. To date 235 entrepreneurs and businesswomen have completed the programme.

"It is a method of advancement, which provides support and training through relationship building. It is about matching a mentee and mentor with a similar personal and professional interest in a process of support, sharing and learning to help entrepreneurs/businesswomen, who want to start up or successfully run or achieve success in their existing field of business and reach their full potential," said Desèré Lundon-Muller, Chair person: Economist Businesswomen Projects.

According to Lundon-Muller, the Katuka Mentorship Programme is designed to facilitate career development of younger women by exposing them to the experience of individuals with established careers. The second training session will take place during April and the third in August 2013.