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KwaZulu-Natal Women Step Into Business Empowerment
In Kokstad this week, women entrepreneurs were reminded that supporting them is more than symbolic. It is an economic strategy that benefits families, communities, and the country. The 2025 Women’s Economic Empowerment Programme (WEEP) reached the Harry Gwala Municipality with a full-day workshop aimed at helping women-owned businesses grow beyond survival.
From Talk to Tangible Tools
The event tied into South Africa’s Women’s Month theme of Building Resilient Economies for All. Hosted by the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature multiparty women’s caucus in partnership with the Presidency, the National Empowerment Fund, and the local municipality, the session focused on practical outcomes.
According to NEF Business Development Officer Siziwe Zulu, women left the workshop knowing exactly how to apply for funding, prepare tenders, and meet compliance standards. “This was not just about information; it was about action. The fund is committed to walking this journey with them,” she said.
The workshop also included motivational voices reminding women that their background does not define their future. The message was clear: even if you come from nothing, you can still build something lasting.
Voices of Change
President Cyril Ramaphosa has repeatedly emphasised that empowering women builds sustainable development and resilient communities. He pointed out that about 40 percent of preferential procurement in the public sector now goes to women-owned businesses.
Celiwe Madlopha, chairperson of the provincial women’s caucus, said the workshops are designed to remove systemic barriers and create opportunities. “When women entrepreneurs are empowered, it strengthens communities and builds the economy from the ground up,” she explained.
Marlaine Nair of the DA encouraged women to seize every chance to advance economically, calling financial independence their ticket to true freedom. From the Presidency, Mumsy Maake stressed that gender gaps remain wide and that women must lead in procurement and employment creation. “If each woman can employ ten others, they will be able to spread their wings and thrive economically,” she said.
Building Economies from the Ground Up
For women in KwaZulu-Natal, the challenge has always been access to capital, markets, and networks. WEEP’s localised workshops are giving small businesses the practical knowledge to move from informal trading to formal participation in South Africa’s economy.
Public responses have been encouraging, with many praising the initiative as long overdue. Others noted that the real measure of success will be in consistent follow-through. For the women who attended, the workshop provided more than hope. It delivered tools, strategies, and a new sense of confidence.
Also read: Bail on Hold: Germiston Women Stay Behind Bars After Eviction Unrest
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: OPSC STUDY
