Financial Knowledge. Entrepreneurial Strength: Meet the Women Building Sustainable Businesses Through WEFL
South Africa's transition towards a greener and more sustainable economy presents significant opportunities for new businesses, industries and livelihoods. But these opportunities are not automatically inclusive. Women, and particularly Black women, continue to face barriers to entrepreneurship and economic participation, including unequal access to finance, business networks, skills development, markets and other resources needed to start and grow sustainable businesses.
For SASDC, ensuring that women are equipped to participate meaningfully in emerging economic opportunities is therefore an important part of building a more inclusive and resilient enterprise ecosystem. Through Project EMBRACE, SASDC seeks to strengthen economic participation by developing practical capabilities, connecting people and businesses to opportunities, and supporting a more inclusive approach to entrepreneurship and enterprise development.
The Women's Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy Programme (WEFL) puts this commitment into practice. The eight-week online programme equips women with entrepreneurial and financial capabilities to identify opportunities, make informed business decisions and build sustainable enterprises, with particular attention to the realities of doing business in Sub-Saharan Africa and the opportunities emerging from the green economy.
WEFL is about more than starting a business. It is about strengthening women's ability to understand their finances, recognise viable opportunities, build resilient business models and participate with greater confidence in a changing economy.
As part of SASDC's Women Leading Tomorrow August focus, we are highlighting four women entrepreneurs whose experiences through WEFL demonstrate what this can mean in practice.
For Hazel Tsotetsi, Zandile Mahlaba, Vino Govender and Mapule Mokoena, the lessons have been different, but a common thread runs through their experiences: building a sustainable business requires more than a good idea. It requires knowledge, planning, financial discipline and the ability to recognise and act on opportunity
Hazel
Tsotetsi
For Hazel, WEFL has strengthened her understanding of the importance of financial planning and managing money effectively in business. She reflects:
“The most valuable insight I have gained is the importance of financial planning and understanding how to manage money effectively in business. I have also learned that having a good business idea is not enough; proper budgeting, record-keeping, market understanding and making informed financial decisions are essential for building a sustainable business.”
The programme has also broadened her understanding of the green economy and the opportunities for businesses to create value while using resources responsibly.
Zandile
Mahlaba
Zandile joined WEFL with a clear vision for Chutshaba Elegance Pty Ltd: to build a sustainable business that creates jobs in uMzimkhulu. For her, strengthening her knowledge of financial management, business systems and funding opportunities has been an important part of moving from simply managing the day-to-day business towards strategic growth. Her ambition extends beyond her own business. Zandile believes that businesses can create opportunities within their communities and demonstrate that world-class work can come from a rural area.
Vino
Govender
For Vino, the programme has reinforced the connection between financial discipline and sustainable business growth. She describes one of her key lessons:
“A successful business requires more than passion, it needs financial discipline, strategic planning and a clear understanding of cash flow.”
WEFL has also broadened her understanding of the green economy as more than an environmental responsibility. She now sees sustainability as a business opportunity that can support greater efficiency, reduce costs and create new income streams.
Mapule
Mokoena
Mapule's WEFL journey has focused on developing greater financial discipline and accountability in her business.
One of her strongest lessons has been simple:
“Every cent of the business counts.”
Through the programme, she has recognised the importance of proper planning, managing business finances responsibly and reinvesting in the business to support its growth. WEFL has also encouraged her to think beyond her current market and consider opportunities to take her products into international markets.
Together, these four stories show the different ways women entrepreneurs are applying financial and entrepreneurial knowledge to strengthen their businesses. As SASDC celebrates Women Leading Tomorrow, WEFL provides a space for women to develop the knowledge, networks and confidence to turn opportunities into sustainable businesses. Financial power strengthens entrepreneurial potential. And when women are equipped to grow, they can create opportunities that extend far beyond their own businesses.
Published: 26 August 2026