Speech by Minister of Small Business Development Ms Lindiwe Zulu on the occassion of the Provincial Women Parliament, Kwa-Maphumulo, KZN
Honourable Speaker,
Honourable Premier,
Honourable Chair of Chairs,
Honourable Members of the Provincial Legislature,
Invited guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Throughout the month of August South Africans express not only their gratitude and admiration for the women in their lives, but also take time to remember the struggles of inspirational women who fought for equal rights so many years ago. It provides an opportune time for us to reflect back on the achievements made since 1956, challenges that persist and building a bridge to close the gaps, especially as the build-up to the 60th anniversary begins.
On Sunday the 9 August 2015 – Women’s Day, the President of the Republic of South Africa, reiterated that women in South Africa whilst constitutionally free were still dwindling behind in terms of economic empowerment and face the brunt of poverty, inequality and unemployment.
Additionally the much anticipated Report on the Status of Women in South Africa’s Economy, launched on Women’s Day, provides a perceptive situational analysis on areas where society has been successful in enabling women’s full participation in the economy, and where there is a need for refocused efforts.
The report cuts across education; labour market; access to credit, land and property; poverty and inequality; and unpaid work. It implies that the promotion of women’s socioeconomic empowerment and the advancement of gender equality should not be a mandate of only the Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women but a mandate of Government as a whole.
As the President powerfully put it: “If we are to succeed economically as a country, women must participate at both the micro and macro levels of the economy. They must not be relegated to micro operations and the informal economy as has been the case. Economic freedom for women is imperative hence the various laws that we are putting in place to make the socio-economic development of women possible."
The problems of our mothers cannot be the problems of the future generation and perhaps it is high time we backtrack to the ABCs on what real socioeconomic empowerment and gender equality denotes for women in South Africa.
Women account for more than 50 % of the population and qualify to be at the epicenter of the economy, operating in high growth and impactful sectors and at the helm of companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), as Presidents, Chairpersons and Managing Directors.
From the perspective of Department of Small Business Development (DSBD), real economic empowerment of women in South Africa will fully be realised when female entrepreneurs are able to participate equally in the economy through the establishment, growth and maintenance of enterprises and cooperatives and are afforded adequate financial and non-financial support instruments.
This moreover embraces availing material on support instruments implemented by the department in all provinces, municipalities and including agencies and publishing of this material in Braille and in vernacular, so that all people can understand what is accessible.
Although challenges faced by women entrepreneurs do not differ much from those of other entrepreneurs in South Africa i.e. lack of access to finance- credit and collateral( both commercial banks and DFI’s do not have confidence in women entrepreneurs), lack of access to markets and procurement opportunities, barrier to entry in certain sectors, lack of access to business infrastructure (physical and technology), lack of mentorship programmes etc, women entrepreneurs are also confronted by many other socio-cultural stereotypes and discrimination.
Women entrepreneurs have differing needs and therefore not “a one size fits all”. For instance, on the subject of Access to Finance instruments, there should be a variety of options made available for women. This trend of availing a variety of options also continues with other areas of support for example, Access to Markets and Business Development.
As a department, we have recognised that a majority of women require cultivation and step by step assistance when it comes to enterprise development. Women are not a homogenous group and therefore support to women entrepreneurs is required in differing targeted gradations and exceedingly dependent on race, age, marital status, location and education.
Therefore interventions must cater for the differing gradations of women entrepreneurs and in so doing, provide a value chain approach to enterprise development. The DSBD is in this regard devising means and strategies which will ensure that support to women entrepreneurs is both targeted, specific and timely.
Regarding specific support for women entrepreneurs, my sister department, the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), has been instrumental in laying a firm foundation for women economic empowerment by developing appropriate policies, programmes and other intervention instruments for this purpose.
Please allow me at this stage to acknowledge that some or most of this existing support instruments may not be adequate or appropriate enough in line with the mandate of DSBD and to ensure that we meet the NDP target. The DSBD is thefore in the process of reviewing some of the existing programmes to either upscale or re-package them to be more responsive to the needs of women entrepreneurs.
The existing programmes at this moment include amongst others:
- Technology for Women in Business (TWIB) that is aimed at addressing the under representation of business women in either the application or innovation of science, technology application to enhance their businesses.
- Technogirl Entrepreneurship programme, a sub-programme of TWIB that aims to encourage girl learners to choose careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) with a focus on entrepreneurship.
- Women on Boards programme, is aimed at training women on corporate governance issues to prepare them for appointed and placement on boards of private and public entities, and for those that are directors in their own businesses, this programme equip them with necessary skills that will enhance their effectiveness on boards and similar decision-making structures.
- Isivande Women’s Fund, is aimed at providing affordable finance in all sectors of the economy with particular emphasis on rural enterprises.
- South African Women Entrepreneurs’ Network (SAWEN), a platform to ensure business linkages, shared learning and continued dialogue for women’s enterprises.
My fellow comrades,although there is some noticeable progress towards the transformation of the economy, a drastic paradigm shift is required at all levels of government for a meaningful economic transformation for women. We need a serious
Lastly, I would like to say, that we need to keep on building the society that the women of 1956 and beyond, fought for and if need be; we must start from the foundation and not be fearful to do so.
With those words, ladies and gentlemen, I thank you!
Malibongwe!!
