The Tshwane Women in Business Awards (TWIBA) were held on November 26 at the Ditsong Museum of Cultural History in Tshwane, celebrating women who lead, innovate, and uplift others. The theme for this year’s awards was ‘Advocating diversity and inclusion of Tshwane women trailblazers for economic emancipation’, a worthy topic as Tshwane Economic Development Agency (TEDA) recognises, honours and celebrates the significant contributions that female businessowners in Tshwane make to the city’s economy.
“These awards celebrate the extraordinary women who are overcoming these challenges and breaking barriers. They are the innovators turning waste into reusable products, the farmers feeding our communities, the tech entrepreneurs designing apps that solve everyday problems, and the manufacturers driving local production,” shared Dr Nasiphi Moya, Executive Mayor of Tshwane.
Women make up half of the global population, yet statistics indicate that less women than men are engaged in entrepreneurial activities. Globally, studies have consistently shown that empowering women drives sustainable development. When women have equal access to economic opportunities, they not only uplift themselves but also contribute significantly to their families, communities, and national economies. This multiplier effect of investing in women ensures a ripple of benefits across various sectors, from education and health to community development and poverty alleviation.
This event was not just a celebration of remarkable achievements but a reflection of TEDA’s collective commitment to ensuring that women hold a central place in the economic development of Tshwane and South Africa, highlighting the critical contributions of women to our economy, recognising their innovation, resilience, and leadership.
Also speaking at the event, Denmark’s ambassador to South Africa Elsebeth Sondergaard Krone, recognised that South Africa is good at celebrating women: with August being women’s month and the 16 days against gender-based violence activism campaign that starts at the end of November and runs into December.
However, Elsebeth notes, “If you look at figures for women in senior positions: globally it’s 33%, with Denmark at 38% and South Africa at 42%. And yet there’s much more to be done – we need to aim to have 50% of women in leadership positions.”
Tshwane’s Local Economic Development (LED) Strategy prioritises sectors such as the Green Economy, Automotive and Components, and Agribusiness, where women’s participation is being actively promoted. These sectors hold immense potential to create jobs, foster innovation, and drive localisation – goals that are central to our Vision 2030.
Sadly, women in business often face structural and systemic barriers, from unequal access to funding and markets to social norms that limit their opportunities. For many women entrepreneurs, these challenges are compounded by the realities of gender-based violence, an unequal burden of care responsibilities, and a lack of access to networks and mentorship.
“Addressing these challenges is a responsibility shared by government, private sector, and civil society and a responsibility that the City of Tshwane embraces wholeheartedly,” agreed Dr Moya, mentioning that “Tshwane’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP) serves as a roadmap for achieving this vision, highlighting economic empowerment as a cornerstone of our development agenda.”
One of the core pillars of Tshwane’s approach to economic development is empowering women entrepreneurs through targeted programmes and partnerships. For instance, their collaboration with TEDA has enabled the creation of platforms like these awards, which provide not only recognition but also networking opportunities for women-led businesses.
The Tshwane Agri-Parks Programme is another initiative where one witnesses the transformative power of women. Supporting over 700 small-scale farmers, many of whom are women, this programme addresses food security while promoting local economic resilience. By providing training, access to markets, and infrastructure, we ensure that women in agribusiness can scale their operations and expand their impact.
In the Green Economy, Tshwane is actively driving renewable energy projects and waste management initiatives where women are leading the charge. Their efforts to localise Sustainable Development Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) have seen the emergence of women-led startups that focus on green technologies, demonstrating that women are key players in building a sustainable future.
Tshwane is also enhancing opportunities for women through public procurement policies that prioritise women-owned businesses. By ensuring that women entrepreneurs have equitable access to City tenders and contracts, they are not only diversifying the supply chain but also investing in businesses that reinvest in their communities.
The challenges faced by women entrepreneurs are too vast and complex to be addressed by any single entity. This is why the City of Tshwane strongly advocates for public-private partnerships as a means to amplify impact. Through collaborations with the private sector, academic institutions, and NGOs, they are unlocking resources, expertise, and networks that benefit women in business.
Speaking to the winners, runners up and nominees, Dr Moya shared “Your stories inspire us to do more, to be more, and to create an environment where the next generation of women leaders can thrive.”
“By recognising your contributions, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that Tshwane becomes a city where women entrepreneurs can dream without limits and achieve without obstacles,” she went on to explain.
Looking to the future, she shared that Tshwane’s aspirations are ambitious where they envision a Tshwane where women-led businesses are not the exception but the rule. And where they can foster an ecosystem where women are not only participants but leaders in key sectors, from technology and manufacturing to agriculture and finance.
The 2024 award winners and runners-up were:
- Award category winners:
- Manufacturing Sector
- Winner: Kool Krew
- Runner Up: MI Desk Global
- Agro Processing
- Winner: Elishiva Trading
- Runner Up: PKL Neo
- Automotive
- Winner: MH Automotive Engineering
- Energy
- Winner: Hakem Energies
- Runner Up: Zizwe Fuels
- Special Awards (Recognised for their outstanding potential and exceptional promise, based on their entries for their awards)
- Bongi Bees
- Moipone Aesthetics
“As we celebrate the achievements of the awardees, the nominees and winners, let us remember that their success is our success. Their dreams, realised through hard work and determination, are building blocks for a stronger Tshwane and a better South Africa. May your stories inspire us all to rise to the challenge of creating an inclusive, equitable, and prosperous Tshwane,” Dr Moya said.
She went on to add, “we need to continue to create opportunities for women to lead, innovate, and transform our economy where every woman in Tshwane has the resources, networks, and confidence to pursue her ambitions.”
Lardo Stander, CEO of TEDA, wrapped the event with a heartfelt thanks that resonated with the attendees. “It was incredibly inspiring to see such a remarkable turnout at today’s event, celebrating the outstanding contributions being made in the capital city. The level of engagement and enthusiasm demonstrated by all attendees truly reflects the vibrant spirit of our business community. I want to express my deepest gratitude to the entire TEDA team, whose tireless dedication and meticulous attention to detail made this event possible. Their commitment to excellence is a testament to our organisation’s values and mission. Together, we are building something extraordinary, and I am confident that this is just the beginning of even greater achievements to come,” he said.
For more information, visit TEDA’s website: https://teda.org.za/twiba/
