Supporting South African women in business

Today, we pay tribute to the incredible and inspiring women in business in South Africa. Thanks to them, people are now benefiting from education advocacy, as well as wine production.

In support of women in business, we’re highlighting some of the most innovative women in South Africa, discussing the impact of fempreneurs on socio-economic activity and where our future business owners can access business funding.

South African trailblazers

• Siba Mtongana, Celebrity Chef & TV Personality

Named one of the 7 Food Goddesses in the world by Tatler Malaysia, Siba Mtongana has brought South African food to the forefront of global cuisine, all while taking the culinary world by storm.

Other than being the host and food editor of Siba’s Table, she has also been recognised by Harvard University for her achievements as a South African women entrepreneur.

• Zukiswa Wanner, Novelist, Non-Fiction Writer and Journalist

Because of her contribution to international cultural exchange, Zukiswa was awarded the Goethe Medal 2020 award, becoming the first African woman to do so.

Throughout her career, Zukiswa has been shortlisted for a South African Literary Award, as well as for the Commonwealth Best Book Africa and Herman Charles Bowman award. She has also taken home the South African Literary award for her novel, London Cape Town Joburg.

When Zukiswa isn’t writing herself, she’s organising and hosting writing workshops across the globe, including Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Germany, the US and more.

• Ntsiki Biyela, Founder of Aslina Wines

In 1999, Ntsiki was awarded a scholarship to study winemaking. Thereafter, she became South Africa’s first black female winemaker. Later in her career, she was appointed head winemaker at Stellekaya Wines, inspiring her to start Aslina Wines.

Ntsiki has been so successful that her premium wines are now distributed worldwide. She has also been recognised as the Fortune’s Most Innovative Woman in Food & Drink (2017) and South Africa’s Woman Winemaker of the year (2009).

How much of an impact do women entrepreneurs have in SA?

According to the The Africa Report, women made up two-thirds of the job losses experienced during the pandemic, which begs the question: how are they still having a substantially positive effect on the economy?

First and foremost, the pandemic brought about a strong desire to become more self-reliant and to be in better working environments. Paired with mass job losses, women opted to open their own small businesses across food, retail, domestic services and more.

The collective effort of our women entrepreneurs has played an integral role in economic recovery after the pandemic. Not only are women-owned businesses generating around R175 billion a year and creating almost 1 million jobs, they’re also critical to our food security and financial stability.

Where to get business funding

Traditionally, South African women have struggled with less access to capital and assets compared to men. Alongside various female-focused business funds, we’re here to mitigate some of the limitations they face and contribute to the advancement of women in business.

Our primary mission is to provide all SMEs with access to the funding they need without the hassle it typically entails. At Bridgement, you can apply for business finance and have your facility up and running in only a few days, with no hidden fees whatsoever.

Apply today: https://bit.ly/3888e6t