Women entrepreneurship on the steady rise in SA but access to funding is still lagging

Loading player...
GUEST: Gugu Mjadu, Executive General Manager of Marketing at Business Partners Limited

The South African Women Entrepreneurs Job Creators Survey found that women gravitate towards industries whose development supports job creation. The financial inclusion of women entrepreneurs as active contributors to the South African economy is therefore one of the most important building blocks of a more equitable and economically active society. Collective and systematic efforts towards making this vision a reality is beginning to produce promising results, with more South African women becoming business owners. According to Mastercard’s most recent Index of Women Entrepreneurs (MIWE),

South Africa is one of 12 global economies where the rate of women’s entrepreneurial activity increased during the 2021 review period. This despite several systemic challenges that have served to hamper the progress of gender equality in the realm of entrepreneurship. For Gugu Mjadu, Executive General Manager: Marketing at Business Partners Limited, the results of the MIWE are particularly compelling considering that of the 12 economies that reported the highest level of progress, six are in Africa.
8 Mar 2023 3PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

South African employment improves, but youth concerns persist

South Africa’s latest employment numbers are out, with Stats SA reporting an improvement of 0.2% in the fourth quarter of 2025. Nkosinathi Mahlangu, Head of the Youth Employment Portfolio at Momentum Group, argues that employer-driven opportunities are needed to give young people a real foothold in the economy.
31 Mar 4PM 9 min

SA fuel stations under pressure

Petrol stations are running dry nationwide as motorists rush to fill up ahead of record fuel price hikes expected from 1 April. South Africa braces for record fuel price hikes on April 1. To help address public concerns, we spoke to Avhapfani Tshifularo, Chief Executive of the Fuels Industry Association…
31 Mar 4PM 17 min

Key takeaways from South Africa’s 2026 Investment Conference

South Africa wants to move from promises to performance, and it’s aiming big — R2 trillion in new investment commitments over the next five years. For these and other highlights from today’s South African Investment Conference, Ipeleng Selele, Chairperson, Brand South Africa, joins the show.
31 Mar 4PM 7 min

Tech at the centre of SA’s investment story

As the country hosts the 2026 South Africa Investment Conference, government leaders are emphasizing a new phase of economic resilience, diversification, and digitalization. Takealot Group CEO, Frederik Zietsman, weighs in on the digital aspect after attending the conference.
31 Mar 4PM 7 min