Valuing the power of networking among women
SANDTON – Prominent business women come together to form a powerful networking platform for entrepreneurs.
Celebrating women and establishing meaningful networks in the framework of entrepreneurship and corporate South Africa was the constant theme at Shanduka Black Umbrellas (SBU) Women’s month celebration in Sandton.
The event was hosted by SBU, a national enterprise and supplier development organisation.
Attendees comprised some of the country’s top women in the business sector, including economic strategist, Thabi Leoka, who was the keynote speaker. She joined Shanduka Black Umbrellas CFO Nyasha Dzumbunu in remembering the significant contribution made by women on the 60-year anniversary of Women’s Day.
“The march that was in protest against the proposed pass laws in 1956 was led by iconic women in a display of courage, leadership and unity, and today serves as an inspiration and a reminder of the role women have played in shaping South Africa to be the country it is today,” said Dzumbunu.
SBU’s CEO, Seapei Mafoyane touched on SBU’s ethos in unearthing black female entrepreneurs by reaching out to the most remote locations to inspire small and medium business development. This for Mafoyane represents the next economic frontier and speaks of SBU’s commitment which has culminated in a total of 934 SMEs that have been incubated since the inception of the programme.
However, a significant milestone has been the combined turnover of R890 million that Shanduka Black Umbrellas SMEs have achieved — validating Mafoyane’s position of the significant economic impact of entrepreneurship.
“Women know how to get things done and, therefore, it makes me proud to know that 60 percent of our staff is women and it remains imperative to keep this impetus of positioning women at the forefront of leadership roles,” she emphasised.
Mafoyane engaged her guests on issues pertaining to the impact women make in business, noting the effects of the influence of women such as the palpable evidence of successful female-led companies in the context of decision-making and a positive return on investment.
Shanduka Black Umbrellas steadfastly continues to play an active role in changing the stereotypes and prejudices held about women, particularly, within the spectrum of entrepreneurship.
