On the 4th April 2024, the Women Creating Wealth team proudly unveiled its Agricultural Value Chains Programme in collaboration with the University of Johannesburg Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development (CCRED) and with support from the European Union. This programme aims to create an enabling environment for women-owned and operated businesses in agricultural sector to thrive.
WCW AVC launch event attendees.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Shiphra Chisha, the Director of Programmes at the Graça Machel Trust, echoed the profound sentiment of the Trustâs founder, who has said the advancement of women through entrepreneurship translates not only into individual prosperity, but into the enrichment of entire communities.
The Trust’s  Director of Programmes Shiphra Chisha kicked off the session with opening remarks.Â
âOur founder’s concern has always been, if women lack funds, they lack a voice. Without a voice, women cannot participate in decision-making processes that affect them and their independence. This has a ripple effect to the next generation, affecting our adolescent girls’ access to resources and opportunities. So this is why we as a Trust and African women say âthis mission is personal to usâ. We aim to create a movement of women supporting each other to amplify their voices, create wealth, and generate job opportunities for the youth.” – remarked Ms Chisha.
Caroline Komey, WCW Senior Programme Officer shared insights into the project aspirations.
This new programme aspires to support 155 formal woman-owned businesses operating in the poultry, winery, and citrus sectors to increase access to markets and finance as well as influence the implementation of gender-responsive economic policies in South Africa. Of these, 10% will be led by young women entrepreneurs (between the ages of 19 – 35), 10% by women with disabilities and at least 80% by women of colour.
Musa Gwebani, Programme Officer of the European Union to South Africa shared  a message of support.
âWhen we received the Graça Machel Trustâs application, we were seeking initiatives that would advance the economic advancement and inclusion of women. Additionally, we sought endeavours that would facilitate women’s equal access to financial opportunities. Their proposal met all these criteria,  So it was an unequivocal decision to join forces. We look forward to the collaborative success of this new programmeâ â  Ms Musa Gwebani, Programme Officer of the European Union to South Africa.
Dr Shingie Chisoro, UJ CCRED Senior Researcher and PHD Fellow shared insights on CCREDâs contribution to the programme.
Beyond the statistics and strategic objectives, the true essence of the event emerged through the testimonials by entrepreneursâ Ms Phiwo Shabangu from the Women Creating Wealth programme and Ms Sibongile Cele from the Fair4All Project. Their testimonials served as a testament to the resilience and fortitude in the face of adversity by women entrepreneurs in the South African agricultural sector.
Phiwo Shabangu, of of the WCW alumni speaking at the launch.Â
âI started my journey with WCW as a new farmer, but through their comprehensive support in business development, personal mastery, and coaching, I gained invaluable skills and the confidence to grow my business. Today, I have secured funding to expand my operation, which is set to produce 450,000 chicken – one of the nation’s largest!â – Phiwo Shabangu.
Panel discussion, from Left Ms Ntuthu Mbiko (Women Economic Assembly), Phuti Mphelo., WCW Alumni and Coach (middle) and Selina Hlabedi, Chairperson of Women in Agriculture and Rural Development.Â
As the event drew to a close, a moment of solidarity unfolded during the engaging panel discussion, epitomising the spirit of sisterhood and collective advancement. Ms. Selina Hlabedi shared her own journey, prompting tears of recognition and shared experience from fellow panellist Ms Ntuthu Mbiko. In a stirring display of unity, Ms. Chisha led the room in songâa melody of praise to the resilience of women and the transformative power of collective action to comfort Ms Mbiko. With a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony, the programme was officially inaugurated, marking the commencement of a transformative journey for women in South African agriculture.
Project unveiling through a ribbon cutting.
As the guests departed, they carried with them the profound belief that through collaboration and advancement, women can indeed create wealth – not just for themselves but for generations to come. The Women Creating Wealth Agricultural Value Chains Programme stands as a beacon of progress and possibility, illuminating a path towards a future where every woman has the opportunity to thrive.
If you are a driven women entrepreneur in the citrus, poultry and winery value chains in South Africa, apply for this new programme here: https://bit.ly/3PfuZHG. Applications close on 20 April 2024
The Trust supports and mobilises civil society networks on issues of ending child marriage, ending violence against children, ending female genital mutilation and promoting childrenâs rights, to carry out advocacy and action across Africa. Special focus is placed on Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia where child marriage continues to be a problem largely driven by poverty, gender inequality, harmful traditional practices, conflict, low levels of literacy, limited opportunities for girls and weak or non-existent protective and preventive legal frameworks.
Education is a fundamental right for all children, which is also a vehicle for social, economic and political transformation in communities, countries and the African continent at large. Recent studies indicate a lack of progress in some of the critical commitments aimed at improving education quality, access, retention and achievement, particularly for girls. In most African countries, girls may face barriers to learning, especially when they reach post-primary levels of education. By implementing multi-dimensional approaches to education which includes core education, personal development, life skills and economic competencies, the Trust partners with funding partners, governments, civil societies and the private sector to improve education access.
The Nutrition and Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition, (RMNCAH+N) of the Childrenâs Rights and Development Programme aims at promoting the Global Strategy for women, children and adolescentsâ health within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda. The strategy emphasises on the importance of effective country leadership as a common factor across countries making progress in improving the health of women, children and adolescents.
Through its Early Childhood Development (ECD) plan, The Trust will seek to put into action the new science and evidence Report that was presented by Lancet Series on Good and early development – the right of every child. This will be achieved by mobilising like-minded partners to contribute in the new science and evidence to reach all young children with ECD. The Trustâs goal is to be a catalyst for doing things differently, in particular, to rid fragmentation and lack of coordination across ECD sectors. In response to evidence showing the importance of political will in turning the tide against the current poor access and quality of ECD. Even before conception, starting with a motherâs health and social economic conditions, the early years of a childâs life form a fundamental foundation that determines whether a child will survive and thrive optimally.