Female entrepreneurs encouraged to sign up for Women in Business Programme

The City of Cape Town’s Enterprise and Investment Department is encouraging female entrepreneurs to apply now for the Women in Business programme facilitated by its Strategic Business Partner, Cape Innovation & Technology Initiative (CiTi). Read more below:

Since the launch and the first intake several years ago, the Women in Business Programme, which is funded by the City of Cape Town, has proven immensely popular and resulted in huge demand.

‘Citi’s Women in Business is such a valuable tool for entrepreneurs, so much so that additional funding was approved by Council today. Because of this, another 30 female business leaders will be able to join this wonderful programme,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member For Economic Opportunities And Asset Management, Alderman James Vos.

Last week, Alderman Vos visited two business leaders who had participated in the 2020 programme: development company, Carran Consulting CC in Woodstock, and Matawi Mead Collection, a pan-African beverage brand in Maitland.

‘It was such a fantastic opportunity to meet Raneah Carr at Carran Consulting, and Matawi’s CEO, Nokukhanya Mncwabe, and hear about their work and how they integrated their learnings at Women in Business into their every day jobs. It shows that the reach of this project that we fund is far greater than what people might expect,’ said Alderman Vos.

Carr 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,’ said Carr.

The 10-week programme creates an empowering atmosphere for women wanting to learn how to better infuse technology into their businesses. It boasts a supportive and creative environment that exposes participants to the latest available technological resources to improve and grow their business.

Those taking part in the programme get access to comprehensive information and interact with highly skilled facilitators and mentors, and test their newly gained knowledge with their peers.

Matawi Mead Collection’s Mncwabe said she formed meaningful connections with many of the women on the 2020 course, despite it being completely virtual.

‘A safe space was created almost from the onset – no one was made to feel as if they were asking ‘stupid’ questions. I’ve also been encouraged by the groups’ 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. And I’ve come out of the process feeling more equipped to more strategically and systematically tackle Matawi’s growth,’ said Mncwabe.

The programme gives participants an insight into technology products and services that promote growth and sustainability.

‘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 are able to offer this opportunity,’ said Alderman Vos.

To view the criteria for participation and to submit an application, visit www.citi.org.za or like and follow the Cape Innovation & Technology Facebook page for news and updates. After an application is received, a Citi team member will be in touch with the applicant to discuss the application.