Women in business urged to apply for empowerment programme
THE City’s Enterprise and Investment Department has made a call to women entrepreneurs to apply for its Women in Business empowerment programme facilitated by the City’s Strategic Business Partner, Cape Innovation & Technology Initiative (CiTi).
According to the facilitators the 10-week programme seeks to empower women in business by affording them a foundation and guidance to infuse technology into their businesses.
Mayco member for economic opportunities and asset management James Vos said that since its inception the project had become a valuable tool for entrepreneurs, to the extent that additional funding was approved by the overseeing council. He said the additional funds would go towards bringing on board 30 more women who would be given insight into how to use technology products and services to promote businesses.
“For economic growth to be fully realised, it is vital that female business owners be given access to the skills, knowledge and technology that foster development. So I’m encouraged that through Citi we can offer this opportunity,” Vos said.
Vos last week visited two entrepreneurs who had participated in the 2020 programme. “It was such a fantastic opportunity to hear about their work and how they integrated their learnings at Women in Business into their everyday jobs,” said Vos.
Raneah Carr, owner of Carran Consulting CC, in Woodstock, said the knowledge she gained from the programme did wonders for her business.
“Being in the field for many years, there are times one becomes so involved in your business that you tend to forget to do research and development with current market trends. This programme allowed me to do that and reassess what the business needs.”
Nokukhanya Mncwabe, owner of Matawi Mead Collection, a pan-African beverage brand in Maitland, said she had formed meaningful connections with many of the women on the 2020 course, despite it being virtual.
“A safe space was created almost from the onset. I’ve also been encouraged by the group’s plans to convene networking opportunities and possibly even business collaborations. I’ve grown tremendously and been inspired by businesswomen who are further on their journey than I am. As a result, I feel even more equipped to more strategically and systematically tackle Matawi's growth,” said Mncwabe.
For more information visit www. citi.org.za.