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Rajan Naidoo | 26 September 2023 The lead-up to the Matric class of 2023’s final exams, anxiety looms. While some will pursue tertiary education, the majority face the highly competitive job market and the harsh prospect of unemployment. Rajan Naidoo, MD of EduPower Skills Academy, says that in this crucible of chances and challenges, the concept of learnerships emerges as a beacon of hope–a bridge between education and employment – and a lifeline to a brighter future for the nation’s youth. “As things stand, school leavers have little hope of finding work. They lack essential skills, have no access to training opportunities and limited access to finance for entrepreneurship – in a stagnant job market,” he notes. With hundreds of thousands of matriculants entering the job market, youth unemployment will rise even further – adding to the fact that in Q2 of 2023, young people aged 15-24 and 25-34 face unemployment rates of 60,7% and 39,8% respectively. Naidoo says this situation has been escalating over many years and has become a national crisis. Labour supply and demand He emphasises the widening disparity between labour supply and demand, exacerbated by the market’s need for skilled workers which leaves millions of unskilled school leavers behind. “Our education system does not adequately prepare learners for the workforce,” he says, “and we urgently need to prioritise and focus on skills development.” Naidoo acknowledges skills development as being a long-recognised government priority and he commends the actions already taken which have resulted in a value chain in which: * Government offers incentives and grants that encourage corporates to actively support learnership programmes and create job opportunities. * Training providers such as EduPower, focus on comprehensive learnership programmes that include job-readiness skills, training and entrepreneurship. * And finally, the youth benefit through their commitment to the learnership process. “These multi-tiered partnerships have made significant strides in supporting skills development and job placement initiatives for young people, but it is not enough,” he asserts. “Youth unemployment is a ticking time bomb that will not self-correct. A massive effort is required to create the sweeping transformation that’s needed and whilst there are pockets of excellence, business as a whole needs to step up to the plate and actively embrace and pursue the opportunities presented by this crisis to get our youth working.” Closing the skills gap Naidoo says that government incentives have created a powerful motivation for business involvement in accessible learning environments for matriculants. However, they must be strategically leveraged by business to obtain their intended results – closing the skills gap – and now, mitigating the crisis we face due to youth unemployment. “Learnerships have proved to be the most successful way to bridge the gap between education and employment when executed effectively. By combining theoretical classroom learning with practical on-the-job training, they offer a structured pathway for school leavers to gain a comprehensive skill set that is immediately applicable in the workplace and the experience necessary for meaningful employment,” he adds. Learnership ROI Naidoo calls for additional strategies to encourage more businesses to fund learnerships, emphasising the need for a paradigm shift in approach. “We must deliver learnerships that promise companies a greater return on their training investment. Businesses should partner with reputable training providers to tailor learnerships to their specific needs that will deliver the required skills. This will assist in future-proofing their operations and contribute to reducing the magnitude of the economic and social risks we are currently facing.” “The positive impact of learnerships benefits learners and sponsoring companies alike, potentially transforming South Africa’s future,” he concludes. “Through learnerships, we can expand our young people’s prospects in the labour market, providing income security and instilling hope and dignity. A skilled and employed youth population drives economic prosperity, offering a more promising future for our nation.” ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://it-online.co.za/2023/09/26/learnerships-will-get-sa-working/

27 September 2023 | Daily News Reporter Durban — The eThekwini Municipality’s two small, medium and micro enterprises (SMME) development initiatives, the Durban Business Fair (DBF) and Durban Fashion Fair (DFF), have been hailed by entrepreneurs for being a perfect link to opportunities, a great platform for exposure and opening many doors to ensure their development. The DBF and DFF were hosted successfully from September 20-24 at Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre and the Durban Exhibition Centre and attracted approximately 20 231 visitors, who heeded the call of supporting local. There was a total of 609 exhibitors who showcased their businesses and products. The main highlight of the week-long empowerment activities was the hosting of the Durban Business Fair Excellence Awards, which incorporated the Durban Fashion Fair Recognition Awards and Lion’s Den Business Plan Competition Awards on September 23. A total of 23 businesses scooped up to R50 000 each of business support prizes, with youth owned businesses dominating the honours. The DBF Excellence Awards had a total of five categories. The DBF Excellence Award was won by Afya Food; Eagle Eye Clothing took the Youth-Owned Business Award; while the Rural/Township-Based Award was scooped by Insika Interiors. Mrs HairFidance won in the Women-Owned Business category while My Space Academy was given a long-standing Special Recognition Award. The Lion’s Den Business Competition Awards that had three categories encourage innovation and competitiveness among entrepreneurs. Guru’s Eatery won in the Emerging Business category and M Branding & Advertising took second spot. For the Established Business category, Premier Group was the winner and Babuse General Trading took second position. Spot on Fire Control received the Entrepreneurial Excellence award followed by Pro Resin. In the DFF Recognition Awards, Zamaswazi was named the Designer of the Year; Martin John Bespoke took the Fashion Innovation award; while the Best Women’s Collection was Eullue and Best Men’s Collection was Vyagor Louve. The Best Collection of the week was awarded to EYC Couture while Jigga was named the 2023 Emerging Designer. Further to their cash cheques, both designers were selected to supply their products to Edgars stores. Sduduzo Nkwanya scooped the first place while Silondile Makhanya took second position and Nokuzola Ndlovu came third in the DFF Rising Star category. For the DFF New Faces (models), Nobuhle Mnguni won in the standard size female category; the plus size female award went to Fezeka Dlamini and Lwandle Khulu won in the male model category. Chairperson of eThekwini Municipality’s Economic Development and Planning Committee, Councillor Thembo Ntuli, applauded the achievements of both the DBF and DFF. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.iol.co.za/dailynews/news/durban-business-and-fashion-fairs-lauded-for-being-a-pillar-for-smmes-51d70a0b-3c31-4fad-9de7-b0de0bf86359

Andrew Bahlmann | 24 September 2023 The following is my wish-list to change South Africa’s economic trajectory. Some are quicker to implement than others, and some are already showing signs of movement but could be accelerated: By addressing these specific areas of concern, South Africa can remove barriers to growth, attract investments, and create the necessary infrastructure for sustained economic development. While these steps may not address all of South Africa's economic challenges, they provide a starting point for targeted interventions that can yield tangible and quicker results. By implementing these practical measures, South Africa can set itself on a path towards economic transformation and sustainable growth. 1. Immediately reform Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) requirements: Update BEE policies to encourage broader participation and remove barriers to entry for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), allowing them to compete effectively for government contracts and procurement opportunities. Simplify BEE compliance processes, reducing administrative burdens for businesses while ensuring transparency and accountability. 2. Boost power transmission grid and Independent Power Producer (IPP) investment: Accelerate the development and implementation of transmission infrastructure projects to strengthen the power grid and ensure efficient electricity distribution. Facilitate greater involvement of IPPs by streamlining licensing processes, providing clearer regulatory frameworks, and promoting private sector investments in renewable energy projects. 3. Enhance road, rail, and harbour investment: Increase public-private partnerships to fund and expedite road infrastructure projects, enhancing connectivity between major industrial hubs and improving transportation efficiency. Prioritise investment in rail infrastructure to support the movement of goods and passengers, reducing congestion on roads and lowering transport costs. Modernise and expand harbour facilities to accommodate larger vessels, improve logistics operations, and facilitate international trade. Overall, prioritise the modernisation and expansion of major transportation hubs, such as ports, airports, and railways, to improve connectivity and enhance logistics efficiency. 4. Create more dedicated start-up incubators across the country that provide mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to funding for aspiring entrepreneurs. 5. Revamp TVETs and offer greater incentives for German-style apprenticeships: Re-evaluate the curriculum of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions to be led by industry needs - and not only offer it to disadvantaged school-leavers with poor basic numeracy and only interested in the stipend – and ensure graduates possess job-ready skills. 6. Fast-track work permit processing to try counter the extreme loss of skills to emigration: Streamline the process of granting work permits to foreign investors and skilled professionals, reducing administrative hurdles and encouraging foreign direct investment. 7. Create dedicated agencies to actively promote South Africa as an attractive investment destination, providing tailored support and information to potential investors. 8. Simplify and expedite the process of registering and starting a business, reducing bureaucratic requirements and minimising red tape. 9. Facilitate cross-border trade: Implement measures to streamline customs procedures, reduce trade barriers, and enhance border infrastructure to facilitate smoother trade and increase regional integration – in the same fashion as Zim borders has done at Beit Bridge. 10. Immediately end cadre deployment and strengthen anti-corruption efforts: Establish specialised anti-corruption task forces with sufficient resources and authority to investigate and prosecute corrupt practices, ensuring transparency and deterring fraudulent activities. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.iol.co.za/business-report/economy/top-10-suggestions-to-change-sas-economic-trajectory-5581a86e-f954-405c-a004-3d3a034a9518

Bizcommunity | 25 September 2023 In a bold statement, the head of Sanral said on Friday that it would not back down from its efforts to transform the construction industry, despite legal challenges from some of the country's largest contractors. Agency chairman Themba Mhambi said at an event near Cape Town that the big construction firms had enjoyed lucrative contracts for too long and needed to make room for smaller and medium-sized businesses. Mhambi says Sanral, contrary to media reports, does not want to destroy the major construction companies but will support and strengthen them while also pushing them to transform. “We are going to damage Sanral if we destroy the big construction companies we have in South Africa, like WBHO, Murray and Roberts, Haw and Inglis (H&I), and so on. If we destroy them, we will be destroying Sanral and South Africa,” said Mr Mhambi. “Therefore, don’t believe all the lies that are told that we want to kill these construction companies. We don’t want to do that. We want to support them, we want to strengthen them to get more business but there is one condition and that condition is that they must understand that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, black and white,” said Mhambi. Time for black South Africans to benefit Mr Mhambi stressed that it is time for black South Africans – Africans, Indians and Coloureds – who had previously been excluded from benefitting from massive infrastructure projects to benefit alongside the well-established industry players. “Those people who have in the past been excluded from benefitting from road construction, bridge building, pavements, manufacturing of guard rails, the production of asphalt – those who have been excluded from benefitting from all those things – must now benefit as well. That is the condition. And that condition does not come from anywhere other than the Constitution of SA.” Mr Mhambi’s remarks come after some of the country’s biggest construction companies sought court interdicts against Sanral to stop new construction tenders from being issued using the roads agency’s new Preferential Procurement Policy (PPP), which requires big companies to share significant portions of the work with smaller players. "You can't be a billionaire by sharing" “When these millionaire and billionaire companies say to us ‘we are going to take you to court Sanral because you are depriving us of the millions and billions that we are making alone’ I understand them, because you can’t be a millionaire or billionaire by sharing. They are going to resist sharing.” Mhambi was speaking at an event in Franschhoek, outside Cape Town, on Friday night to celebrate Sanral’s 25th anniversary. Sanral is an entity of the National Department of Transport and is mandated with the management, maintenance and development of South Africa's proclaimed national road network. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/360/242201.html

Luke Fraser | 24 September 2023 National Treasury is trying to reign in spending, but government officials are not too keen on the plan. There has been speculation that South Africa will introduce widespread budget cuts as the country faces a revenue shortfall and a wider-than-expected budget deficit. Although the full scale of these changes will only become known when Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana tables the mid-term budget on 1 November, it was reported that Treasury proposed several ideas to President Cyril Ramaphosa to mitigate the looming crisis. These proposals included: Increasing value-added tax by 2%, closing programs, Reducing or merging the number of government departments and state-owned enterprises, Managing the public-sector wage bill Reforming the skills development levy. However, as reported by the Sunday Times, Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Sihle Zikalala said that Treasury’s proposal to cut his department would ultimately create more work for other departments and lead to job losses. “Most departments have primary mandates, and it’s not just about managing the building you are in. The police, for example, need to work on protecting citizens, dealing with crime and ensuring that criminals are successfully prosecuted,” Zikalala said. “If you say they must now look after their own properties, you will be adding a responsibility. So there must be a discussion on that. I am not saying we must not, but one thing that public works should own up to is that it has not optimised its capacity.” “Public works must optimise on the infrastructure that we have. That’s why we are saying let’s run the programmes that are going to help the government going forward, even to generate income.” The minister added that the private sector can either use or buy government buildings to generate income. He said that scaling down programmes, such as the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), to fund the R350 Social Relief and Distress (SRD) grant – which Treasury has actually called to cut in its entirety – will result in job losses. “Therefore, it is important that we structure the EPWP in a way that is massive and makes an impact. I think there must be a focus on economic growth and protecting those projects and programmes that are creating job opportunities,” the minister said. His comments echo the ANC’s strong opposition to the cuts, with many questioning how the party can cut spending ahead of a national election. Unions have also threatened to strike if the cuts go ahead. “We think the Treasury proposals on a freeze on vacancies, reducing the headcount, cutting departments, cutting programs, is going to collapse the capacity of the state,” said Cosatu spokesman Matthew Parks. Other problems with the plan Speaking with Newzroom Afrika, Duma Gqubule from the Centre for Economic Development and Transformation said that Treasury’s cuts will prove counterproductive. Gqubule noted that cutting spending will hurt GDP growth as the government, including state-owned enterprises, accounts for 40% of GDP. “If you cut (spending) so deeply, it reduces GDP, it reduces the tax revenue, and it results in a higher debt ratio,” he said. “A national budget does not work like a household budget. If you and I cut spending, we save. For the government, it’s almost like a self-defeating purpose.” He also questioned Treasury’s opposition to the SRD Grant, which only makes up R35 billion of the government’s R2.2 trillion in spending – roughly 1.5%. He argued that Treasury is using scare tactics by suggesting that the program, which assists 8 million people, can be terminated shortly before an election. There have also been concerns over the constitutionality of a new “financial law” that will introduce compulsory austerity measures if the country hits a specific debt size without consultation with the government or social society. “I believe that Treasury has crossed a line. These proposals will collapse the economy, and they will also result in social unrest,” Gqubule said. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/720730/warning-over-treasurys-plan-to-save-south-africa/

The Ownership element of the B-BBEE Scorecard assesses the proportion of Ownership held by Black People within an organisation and is one of the Priority elements under B-BBEE Legislation. As per the Amended General B-BBEE Codes of Good Practice, and using the Verification Manual as a guide, Ownership must be measured on the date of a B-BBEE Verification and not on the date of an Ownership transaction. Ownership Services are available to Members to assist with understanding requirements for Ownership.

A B-BBEE Verification is based on a sampling of evidence and an element of risk. In other words, the process of analysing less than 100% of the evidence supplied. The procedure provides a Verification Analyst with a reasonable basis on which to conclude that all evidence provided is true and accurate. However, posing a challenge is a Learnership claim where the Learner is no longer employed. If that particular Learner is chosen as part of the sample, the B-BBEE Rating Agency will need to interview them for an organisation to claim its points. As per Clause 18.3.1.3 (e), the SANAS R47-03 document states the following: " (e) As part of the Verification process, the Verification personnel shall interview a sufficient number of black persons at all levels of the Measured Entity to provide assurance that the information gathered is sound. For the avoidance of doubt, interviews shall be conducted for the Skills Development element. This does not exclude the sampling of white persons or others who do not meet the definition of 'Black'." Therefore, an organisation must ensure that it has up-to-date contact details of Learners no longer employed. B-BBEE Verification Services are available to Members to ensure all documentary evidence is correct.

Under B-BBEE Legislation the concept of Miliary Veteran Is found under the definition of Designated Group Supplier and linked to the Miliary Veterans Act 18 of 2011 which identifies a Military Veteran as follows: “military veteran means any South African citizen who-- (a) rendered military service to any of the military organisations, statutory and non-statutory, which were involved on all sides of South Africa's Liberation War from 1960 to 1994; (b) served in the Union Defence Force before 1961; or (c) became a member of the new South African National Defence Force after 1994, and has completed his or her military training and no longer performs military service, and has not been dishonourably discharged from that military organisation or force: Provided that this definition does not exclude any person referred to in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) who could not complete his or her military training due to an injury sustained during military training or a disease contracted or associated with military training;” B-BBEE Verification Services are available to Members in order to understand the definition of a Miliary Veteran.

Mercedes Besent | 21 September 2023 The Employment Minister, Thulas Nxesi, says he agrees with the call for affirmative action to be limited to Blacks and Whites, instead of creating separate targets for Indians and Coloureds. The Al Jama-ah leader, Ganief Hendricks, made the call, stating that Coloureds and Indians were Black. Hendricks was speaking in the National Assembly during an oral reply session for ministers in the Economic Cluster. However, Nxesi says that the aim of the categories in the Black group is to address historical imbalances. “You are right. In our definition of the national question, we talk about Blacks. But, because of our racial history, some people want to deny it and think that merit must only apply to Whites when they talk about merit. But we have been able to say it means these categories. We are saying all of them are Black, and in these interactions, we have said we are ready to listen. “We have even opened the period for people to make input on the regulations. We’re listening to the people. If there is anything fundamental they are putting, we are going to be able to re-look at some of the areas. But be comfortable that when we are talking about the disadvantage, we are talking about the Black people, all of them in their various groups. Unfortunately, we use these racial terms which are uncomfortable, but it’s part of our history created by some people.” ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/nxesi-agrees-with-limiting-affirmative-action-targets-to-blacks-whites/

Nozizwe Vundla | 21 September 2023 Supporting the owners of SMEs is one of the best ways to foster greater financial inclusion and a life of confidence for all, says Sanlam. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) comprise about 90% of all formal business in SA, contributing 34% of our country's GDP, according to the International Finance Corporation (IFC). However, the IFC has reported that SA’s rate of early-stage entrepreneurship is three times lower than it should be, with SME sector growth of just 14% in nine years. Businesses are being held back by myriad factors, but primarily lack of funding and skills development. As a purpose-led group, Sanlam is committed to using its enterprise and supplier development (ESD) initiatives to champion SMEs. Along with its existing ESD programme, in collaboration with the Association for Savings and Investment SA (Asisa), Sanlam is introducing two new programmes in partnership with Black Umbrellas and Zevoli Growth Partners. Small businesses hire up to 60% of the country's workforce. Empowering entrepreneurs means shifting our nation’s narrative. It’s also a critical part of SA’s National Development Plan (NDP), which aims to amplify SME's economic contribution. Our entrepreneurs are our problem-solvers and community builders. Entrepreneurship is the biggest opportunity for SA to capture all the potential of our demographic dividend, our greatest untapped asset. It's one of the best avenues to amplify socioeconomic inclusion and give more people purpose, independence and dignity. Sanlam's ESD programmes are about creating ripples of economic sustainability for generations to come. Sanlam and Asisa The Sanlam-Asisa ESD programme was launched in 2013 and has created and sustained 3,578 jobs to date. It aims to transform Sanlam’s distribution network and contribute to job creation through the development of sustainable businesses that can grow and contribute to SA’s economy. The programme allows Sanlam to invest in its supply chain-aligned SMEs through three strategic projects: Project Accelerate is an 18-month intervention that assists 14 SMEs through business development support, with a focus on accessing markets, funding and relevant skills. Project Elevate concentrates on distribution development; it provides specialist practice management training to 24 black-owned financial planning businesses in Sanlam’s BlueStar network, with a focus on instilling practical skills and knowledge. Project Migrate provides specialist business development support to 11 financial planning businesses through an intensive coaching-based approach with targeted mentorship, combined with workshops. Sanlam and Black Umbrellas Sanlam has partnered with Black Umbrellas to support 30 black women entrepreneurs in their business journeys through three intensive programmes: The Masakhe programme aims to unlock the potential of 15 early-stage beneficiary SMEs, igniting their business ideas and paving the way for their full establishment as start-ups. The Siyakhula programme seeks to fuel the growth of nine established SMEs, empowering them to operationalise and scale their businesses, with a focus on increasing their key financial metrics. The Asindize programme will propel two existing SMEs that are ready to accelerate their growth to increase their revenue and create greater employment opportunities. Participating businesses must be at least 51% black-owned, with five permanent employees or more. Sanlam and Zevoli Growth Partners Zevoli Growth Partners helps to formalise township-based stokvels, transforming them into viable businesses. There are about 800,000 stokvels in the country, collecting about R50bn per year, with estimated membership of 11-million South Africans. They have a critical role to play in changing the nation’s savings rate. Supporting stokvels means indirectly supporting vulnerable individuals. Their success is vital to the country’s growth. Sanlam and Zevoli will assist participating stokvels through business mentorship, financial literacy and operational support, to position them for growth. Sanlam recognises that supporting the owners of SA's SMEs is one of the best ways of fostering greater financial inclusion and a life of confidence for all. Our country's entrepreneurs are key to solving the nation’s shared challenges. We owe it to them to help turn their big ideas into big business over the long term. We need to create an environment where they feel supported to succeed. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.businesslive.co.za/companies/2023-09-21-native-sanlam-champions-entrepreneurs-through-new-enterprise-and-supplier-development-programmes/

Smart Works | 20 September 2023 The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) is a government programme aimed at alleviating poverty by creating work opportunities for unemployed South Africans. The EPWP continues to play a critical role in the socio-economic development and upliftment of people in various communities - particularly the youth. Skills development and training of EPWP participants has been a crucial element of Phase IV of the EPWP. The programme provided accredited training to participants in the form of short courses, skills programmes, learnership programmes and artisan development programmes in an effort to address the scarce and critical skills required by the economy. Some of the skills provided by EPWP implementing public bodies in the 2022/2023 financial year were the National Certificate in Road Works Construction in the Eastern Cape, the National Certificate in Landscaping in Mpumalanga, and Financial Literacy through the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA). The public bodies provided 40 252 training opportunities in the four EPWP sectors, namely: infrastructure, social, non-state, and environment and culture. The EPWP has also played a critical role in promoting the development of young people through training and capacity-building. In this regard, 8 250 work opportunities were created for youth through the National Youth Service (NYS), as implemented by public bodies at different spheres of government. The Vuk’uphile Learnership Programme, which is a contractor development programme, has provided support to 87 contractors in order to improve their capacity to implement projects through labour-intensive methods. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.iol.co.za/the-star/partnered/the-expanded-public-works-programme-is-committed-to-the-socio-economic-empowerment-of-communities-94ab2db0-9449-4e39-a22f-0a2b0c521d43

Ivor Price | 19 September 2023 Momentum Metropolitan and Agri Enterprises are sowing the seeds of women’s empowerment in through the Women in Farming programme. Bridging gender gaps and nurturing economic growth, they’re driving positive change for a more inclusive farming landscape In a powerful stride towards economic inclusivity, Momentum Metropolitan is taking the reins in the agricultural sector through its Women in Farming programme. Now in its second year, the collaboration with Agri Enterprises solidifies its commitment to fostering gender equality and economic growth in farming. This is the view of Nkosinathi Mahlangu, portfolio head of youth employment at Momentum Metropolitan. Speaking to Food For Mzansi, Mahlangu’s excitement is palpable as he explains, “Our objective is to stimulate and encourage emerging female entrepreneurs by establishing knowledge-based economies in rural areas. We’re currently focusing on KwaZulu-Natal, aiming to tackle socio-economic challenges faced by women in agriculture, particularly improving market access for female-owned enterprises.” Community upliftment at the forefront Momentum Metropolitan’s involvement in the agricultural sector is a testament to its commitment to uplifting the community. “The journey began in 2018, with the Momentum Metropolitan Foundation exclusively focusing on youth employment and empowerment,” Mahlangu reveals. “Our vision was twofold: to upskill young people for employment and to support young entrepreneurs. Women in Farming was our inaugural entrepreneurial programme, addressing both gender disparity and economic opportunity.” The significance of the initiative lies in its response to a deeply rooted issue. “Black women, especially, face vulnerability in unemployment,” Mahlangu states. “Our programme tackles the challenges women encounter in agriculture. In South Africa, female-headed households often rely on women to provide for their families. While women play a critical role behind the scenes, Women in Farming puts them in the driver’s seat, fostering a new generation of female farmers.” Success stories worth celebrating Mahlangu’s voice lights up as he shares success stories. “Our first year exceeded expectations. We built confidence and equipped these young women with the skills to run their businesses effectively. Beyond upskilling and capacity building, we facilitated access to land and markets. Female participants gained support from local authorities, fostering mentorship and sustainable growth within their communities.” The journey wasn’t without its challenges. “During the initial in-class training, businesses suffered from the absence of their owners, leading to unexpected setbacks like floods,” Mahlangu explains. “We learned from these experiences, providing support to help these entrepreneurs bounce back, with a focus on preventing future setbacks.” Women and youth unemployment Empowering women and disadvantaged South Africans aligns with Momentum Metropolitan’s core mission. “We believe in collaboration to achieve success,” Mahlangu asserts. “Empowering women and addressing youth unemployment are intertwined. The Women in Farming programme positions us to be a catalyst in socio-economic development. By creating platforms for potential job creators, we’re amplifying women’s voices and contributions to food security.” Explaining Momentum Metropolitan’s partnership with Agri Enterprises, a subsidiary of Agri SA, Mahlangu stated, “We saw an opportunity to play a role in bridging the gender gap, while also ensuring that economic activity flourishes.” Seeds of progress sown Operating as the commercial arm of Agri SA, Agri Enterprises occupies a central role in charting the course for the future of the country’s agricultural sector. Year after year, this forward-thinking entity extends its reach to encompass thousands of new-era farmers from across the nation, presenting pioneering solutions that propel the industry towards progress. Together, the partners continue to champion women’s empowerment in agriculture, and the landscape of opportunities and equality in South Africa’s rural regions is shifting for the better. Through their Women in Farming programme, the seeds of progress are sown, promising a bountiful harvest of economic empowerment and sustainable change. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.foodformzansi.co.za/momentum-agri-ent-bridging-gaps-empowering-women/