Empowering women entrepreneurs: Win R100,000 in business exposure
This campaign is about creating space, opening doors, and amplifying the voices of women who are building businesses, driving change, and making meaningful contributions to their communities and the economy.
We invite women across the Western Cape, from start-ups to growing enterprises to share their stories with us. This initiative goes beyond exposure; it's a celebration of the strength, creativity, and resilience of women entrepreneurs who are making an impact, often against the odds. The campaign is our way of giving back by helping one woman gain the visibility needed to elevate her business to the next level.
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Women entrepreneurs: the overlooked engine of South Africa's economy
Dr Omolola Arise points to the benefits of more women using their entrepreneurial skills to create small and micro businesses. Image: LinkedIn As South Africa observes Women's Month throughout August, a vital focus must be placed on one of the country's most powerful economic engines: female entrepreneurship. Women have shaped local economies from long before the advent of modern corporate structures, from informal trading in townships to establishing resilient small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Their contributions are increasingly measurable and not merely anecdotal, as women continue to rise to prominent roles in various industries, including leadership positions within the major mining sector and policy-making bodies that influence economic practices. Dr Omolola Arise, Academic Programme Leader at MANCOSA's School of Accounting, Finance and Tax, emphasizes the importance of recognising the strength, innovation, and legacy of women leaders in business. "Celebrating and supporting women-led enterprises is not just a social imperative, it is a strategic one," Dr Arise says, highlighting how female entrepreneurs contribute significantly to job creation, community upliftment, and sustainable economic growth. Taking charge of economic growth In a time when South Africa grapples with its unemployment crisis, the need to create employment opportunities has never been more pressing. Women in South Africa have taken on this challenge with remarkable zeal; as of 2025, 57% of women identify as business owners, surpassing the regional average of 51% across Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. This figure stands in stark contrast to the earlier statistic of 34% women-led SMEs, showing significant growth in this sector. This surge in female entrepreneurship is led by younger generations; a staggering 89% of Gen Z women are interested in starting their own businesses. The trend reveals a cultural shift rather than a temporary phase, with Gen X women leading the charge at 59% identifying as entrepreneurs, closely followed by millennials and Gen Z. Side hustles are becoming essential, with 55% of South African women engaged in supplementary businesses - a figure rising to 58% among Gen X participants. The driving forces behind this shift include the quest for additional income (80%), independence (52%), and the establishment of safety nets (45%). Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Changing the narrative The statistics indicate an undeniable fact: South African women are assuming more significant roles in economic and community development, countering long-established notions of male-led households. Dr Arise notes that though women-led SMEs may typically be smaller, they frequently generate more jobs due to their emphasis on social impact and community engagement, especially in sectors like education, healthcare, and retail. These businesses often demonstrate remarkable resilience and adaptability, particularly during economic downturns, and bring fresh perspectives that can lead to new opportunities. However, significant challenges persist, most notably in securing funding. Dr Arise points out the considerable gender credit gap, primarily stemming from structural biases in traditional financial institutions. Innovative financing methods, such as crowdfunding and blockchain solutions, are becoming essential to empower women entrepreneurs by providing accessible capital and fostering community support. MANCOSA is actively exploring how financial technology education can prepare female students to leverage these emerging financial platforms for growth. The long-term impact of female-led entrepreneurshipThe impact of women entrepreneurs extends beyond immediate economic contributions; they play a crucial role in human capital development by reinvesting in education, skills training, and community upliftment. This approach develops a more skilled workforce, fostering social mobility and reducing gender inequality. However, barriers like limited access to funding and societal expectations must be addressed to maximize their long-term potential. To facilitate job creation through women-led SMEs, policymakers in South Africa must enhance access to finances, specialised training, and supportive regulatory frameworks. Initiatives such as the Isivande Women's Fund and Black Industrialists Scheme will further empower these entrepreneurs, driving inclusive economic growth. Toward an inclusive entrepreneurial future Over the past decade, South African female entrepreneurs have transitioned from marginal contributors to being central to the SME ecosystem, with their impact on job creation, community development, and GDP growth increasingly significant. Representing just 21.1% of formal SMEs, their input represents a vital economic force, and breaking down existing barriers will unlock further growth. The future of South Africa's economy may hinge on ensuring women not only occupy seats in boardrooms but also play vital roles in shaping entrepreneurial policies and funding structures. The success of female entrepreneurs is not just a matter of gender equality - it is integral to the country's economic ambitions.
IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
Empowering women entrepreneurs: Win R100,000 in business exposure
In celebration of Women's Month, the Cape Argus is proudly shining the spotlight on women who are changing the game in business. One idea, one hustle, and one brave step at a time. As part of our ongoing commitment to uplift women in business, we are excited to launch a bold new campaign that will award one outstanding female entrepreneur with R100 000 worth of exposure across our Cape titles. This campaign is about creating space, opening doors, and amplifying the voices of women who are building businesses, driving change, and making meaningful contributions to their communities and the economy. We invite women across the Western Cape, from start-ups to growing enterprises to share their stories with us. This initiative goes beyond exposure; it's a celebration of the strength, creativity, and resilience of women entrepreneurs who are making an impact, often against the odds. The campaign is our way of giving back by helping one woman gain the visibility needed to elevate her business to the next level.
IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
Women lead the charge in homeownership and vehicle ownership in South Africa
In South Africa, women are increasingly asserting their financial independence and making significant strides in both homeownership and vehicle ownership Image: Freepik As South Africa celebrates Women's Month this August, fresh data reveals a compelling narrative of transformation in ownership dynamics. Women in South Africa are not only asserting their financial independence but are also increasingly becoming prominent figures in the realms of home and vehicle ownership. This shift underscores a newfound dominance in property investments that, until recently, were predominantly male domains, according to Lightstone Property's Hayley Ivins-Downes. 'We're seeing a clear and steady shift in ownership patterns as more South African women take on property purchases, reflecting both growing financial independence and confidence in property as a long-term investment. It's an encouraging sign of transformation in the real estate sector.' Property ownership over time 2014-2025 Image: Supplied Historically male-centric property ownership is showing a paradigm shift, as the latest figures indicate that women are now outpacing men in the housing market. The proportion of homes owned by women as sole buyers has risen sharply from 30% in 2014 to an impressive 39% by 2025. In contrast, the share of mixed couple ownership has declined from 39% to 30%. Notably, 'single female buyers' are defined as women who are the sole registered owners of the property irrespective of their marital or relationship status. This burgeoning ownership trend has far-reaching implications; properties owned exclusively by women or jointly with men now account for a staggering 69% of all ownership, while men's ownership remains fixed at 31%. Lightstone's analysis reveals that out of approximately 200,000 residential property transactions conducted by natural persons in the last year, a remarkable 140,000 involved sole buyers, with 75,000 of those transactions attributed to sole women buyers. Additionally, around 60,000 transactions were joint purchases where women partnered with male buyers. Average purchase price Image: Supplied The upward trajectory of women-only buyers is notable, particularly between July 2024 and June 2025, driven largely by a surge in low-value property transfers. This shift is further illustrated in the affordable property price ranges, where sole women buyers significantly outnumber their male counterparts, especially in the categories below R250,000, R250,000–R500,000, R500,000–R750,000, and R750,000–R1 million. Government-assisted housing programs also feature prominently in this trend, with 26% of transfers to women as exclusive owners being subsidised, compared to 21% for sole men buyers and 17% for joint male/female buyers. When these subsidised properties are set aside, it becomes evident that women buyers show a marked preference for secure living environments: 12% favoured Estate Freehold, 4% opted for Estate Sectional Schemes, and a substantial 37% chose Sectional Scheme properties. Just over 47% of single women buyers entered the Freehold market. Percentage of single women buyers by age Image: Supplied
