Women in the Harry Gwala Municipality were reminded that supporting them is not just fashionable, but it is also economical and smart.

The 2025 Women’s Economic Empowerment Programme (WEEP), continued with the national women’s month celebration theme of Building Resilient Economies for All, in the Kokstad Municipality on Tuesday.

The KwaZulu-Natal Legislature multi-party women’s caucus held a workshop to assist women-owned businesses in partnership with the Presidency, the South African National Empowerment Fund (NEF) and the Harry Gwala District Municipality.

President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that the empowerment of women contributes to sustainable development, inclusive growth, and the cultivation of resilient communities when he spoke in Limpopo during women’s month recently. He said about 40% of preferential procurement in the public sector is awarded to women-owned businesses.

Siziwe Zulu, the NEF’s Business Development Officer, said the full-day session equipped women entrepreneurs with the tools to access funding, win tenders, and comply with key business regulations.  

She said that the workshop forms part of the WEEP — a national initiative dedicated to providing women entrepreneurs, start-up founders, and informal traders with the skills, resources, and networks they need to grow and formalise their businesses. 

“We had various support programmes. A motivational speaker reminded everyone that even if you come from a house that has nothing, you can be something,” she said.

Zulu said the workshop offered practical business compliance guidance, tender readiness training, funding access sessions, and market linkages.

 “This workshop is not just about information, it is about action. Women left knowing exactly how to apply for funding, how to win government tenders, and how to position their businesses for long-term growth. The fund is committed to walking this journey with them,” Zulu said. 

Celiwe Madlopha, the chairperson of the KZN Legislature Multiparty Women’s Caucus, said that when women entrepreneurs are empowered, it strengthens communities and builds the economy from the ground up. She said these workshops are designed to remove barriers, provide access to finance and markets, and give women the practical skills they need to thrive.

Marlaine Nair, a DA MPL, said that women must seize every opportunity to advance economically because it is their ticket to true freedom. 

Mumsy Maake, the Director for Gender Mainstreaming in The Presidency, said violence against women is yet to be addressed properly in any country. She said that the World Economic Forum has found that no country has closed its gender gap. 

“Women’s involvement in public procurement is still very minimal. Women must become financially independent. I implore all women to grab this opportunity and empower themselves. Research suggests that women-owned enterprises need more support. If each woman can employ 10 other women, then they will be able to spread their wings and thrive economically,” she said. 

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za 

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