About two hundred domestic workers attended an empowerment workshop over the weekend that was held at the Erasmuskloof Fire Station, east of Pretoria. The workshop was organised by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) through the Gender and Women Empowerment (GWE) Unit. The event was aimed at creating awareness on the dti's programmes that are aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs and promoting ownership of enterprises.
"Speaking at the event, the dti’s Chief Director of GWE, Ms Nomvula Makgotlho said women economic empowerment is significant for the country's economy. She emphasised the need for more women-run enterprises playing a meaningful and direct role in ensuring economic transformation and broadening economic participation.
“More still needs to be done in ensuring that more women participate in the areas of the economy that remain male dominated,” added Makgotlho
The workshop also included presentations by the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), Incentive Schemes Unit and the Co-operatives Development Unit on the offerings to women entrepreneurs.
CIPC’s Simon Fenyane said that the dti would like to see an influx of women-run enterprises that are not only surviving but thriving.
Throughout the workshop, women were encouraged to take advantage of and exploit all opportunities intended to grow the domestic market as well as create avenues to increase competitiveness. Women were also told that women-run enterprises were needed across all sectors and across all the value chains.
Ms Suzie Mphela-Maloka, a businesswoman and a member of the South African Women Enterprise Network (SAWEN), congratulated those who had managed to start and maintain their businesses and also encouraged them to aspire for more.
"It will be an even greater achievement if more women can enter the business world and make their contribution in the economy,” she said.
Mphela-Maloka added that the dti would like to see more women playing a bigger role as exporters of competitive products and services.
However, she stated that focus and guidance is required for the full participation of women within the South African economy going forward.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe-Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
